Watchlist: Wednesday, April 18, 2007

 Lost
Desmond talks Hurley, Jin and a very troubled Charlie into accompanying him on a journey across the jungle after experiencing another one of his prophetic flashes. And Kate turns to Sawyer after seeing Jack alone with Juliet.
Watch a scene from tonight’s episode

America’s Next Top Model
The models get a crash course in being on-air hosts, and then test their new skills in beautiful Australia. They’re asked to conduct interviews using Aussie slang, and later shoot a commercial in the Outback. One contestant forgets her lines and causes mass embarrassment. G’day, mate!
Watch a scene from tonight’s episode

Living Lahaina — Series Premiere
Where on earth is reality better than in gorgeous Hawaii? Nowhere, and that’s precisely why this brand new series has landed. A group of drifters teach tourists to surf by day and party by night. Oh, the trials of island life.

American Idol
Someone’s goinghome. Anyone else wish this we could have a do over on this whole season?  Why am I so bitter again American Idol these days.  Damn you Sanjaya!!

House Recap:”Act Your Age”

Title: Act Your Age
Original Airdate: April 17, 2007
GMMR Recapper: LaLa

I just love it when the title beautifully sums up the predominant theme of the episode, like it did tonight with “Act Your Age”. In this wonderfully written installment of “House”, most of the characters had problems acting like they should for their age – from Cameron and Chase’s immature sniping at each other, to the way-too-mature over-developed hormone problems of the kid siblings/patients Lucy and Jasper (which were caused by their dad’s stupidly immature decision to take sketchy testosterone pills in order to “boost” his performance in bed with his younger girlfriend). And then, of course, there was just House being House. Ah, but more on him later.

First, let’s start with Cameron and Chase. Ok, so I haven’t been too happy with the way the writers have handled their relationship so far – the whole nympho, sex anywhere-and-anytime thing was frankly pretty stupid. And at first, the predictable bitter fallout from Cameron’s cold dumping of Chase last week was kind of annoying as well – especially since Cameron was acting like the jilted woman, when she was the one who did the dumping in the first place!
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American Idol Mini-Recap

Another mostly sucky night for American Idol. Sorry, but I’m too blah about tonight’s country performances to come up with anything better than “mostly sucky”. Here’s my rundown on the good, the bad and the Sanjaya.

The Good…

Phil Stacey – I realize I’m a bigger Phil Stacey fan than most, but you can’t deny he was fantastic tonight. I’m not sure who that bald guy was out in the audience but Phil really impressed me tonight. By far the best male vocal of the night.

Jordin Sparks – I think that Jordin is going to be our next American Idol. Tonight Jordin was so amazing that I actually got goosebumps – perhaps my first of this Idol season. Her voice is as pure as the driven snow. Dude, what does that even mean?

Melinda Doolittle – Mindy Doo was fierce tonight. I didn’t think it was her best vocal performance, but she worked the hell out of the song. Not to go all Paula on you, but Melinda looked incredible tonight. Her new do actually took away from the old Aunt Mindy look she’s been rocking since Week 1.

The Bad…

LaKisha Jones – Yes, I’m putting LaKisa in the bad bucket tonight. Her version of Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel” was all over the place. It was warbly in some parts and then flat and pushed in others. I always look forward to LaKisha’s performance so tonight I was really bummed out.

Chris Richardson – I think Chris is starting to look like a one trick pony. Sorry but when he makes The Rascal Flats sound like Justin Timberlake something just isn’t right. And Chris made what I think might be a fatal mistake when he gave some lip back to Simon tonight. Don’t do that. Remember the mistakes of your Idol forefathers. Did you learn nothing from Justin Guarini? That being said, he’s still hot…so there’s that.

Blake Lewis – Argh – it KILLS me to put my Blakey Blake in this group, but I thought he was really off tonight. It wasn’t even that he missed some of the notes, but his execution really bothered me. The frustrating thing is that I can’t really pinpoint what I didn’t like about it. Blake sometimes has this way of making all his songs sound like a lounge act. And before you pull out the torches and hunt me down, let me say that I don’t mean “lounge act” in the same way Simon does. It’s more of this jazzy filter that he puts on his songs. Sometimes he pulls it off, but tonight it didn’t work for me.

The Sanjaya…
The hair looked ok, so that will carry him over until the next week. Simon finally lost it and said ‘enough is enough – the joke is over’. If that were only true. I’m not sure he’ll be in the bottom 3 tomorrow night.

My Prediction? Chris and LaKisha in the bottom two with Chris going home.

24 Recap: “11:00 – 12:00am”

Title: 11:00 – 12:00am
Original Airdate: 4/16/07
GMMR Recapper: LaLa

So, what was my under-whelming feeling after watching this episode? Here we go again. Yes, after last week’s kick-ass episode, where so many things happened that you wanted to see happen but didn’t dare hope would happen, this episode felt like a stale repeat of so many things that you’ve seen happen a million times before and hoped not to see happen anymore. Like Jack having to go rogue and do something completely irrational and illegal – and of course, he only has one hour to do it. Like Jack calling Chloe covertly, and guilt tripping her with the old “Chloe, just do it” line to do something that would seriously jeopardize her job (and of course, he gives her nothing in return for her troubles). Like Wayne Palmer collapsing into a coma, thus allowing Demon Daniels to take permanent control of the White House and immediately make bad choices. Like Audrey Raines. Like Jack hurting good people and risking innocent lives and international security (namely with Russia and China) just in order to save annoying Audrey’s life.
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Going Back to Cali…to Cali…to Cali

Sorry for the lack of updates today.  With my touch and go electricity in the morning, and me being gone watching the marathon in the afternoon I wasn’t able to update GMMR on Monday.  And sadly I’m not going to be able to blog again until Tuesday late afternoon.  I’m heading out at the crack of dawn (correction: before the crack of dawn) to get on a plane and head back to California.  I’m heading into work soon after I land so I really won’t have much time for GMMR until after work.  Sorry! But I finally got my Slingbox so unlike my previous trips to the left coast, I’m going to be able to keep up with all my shows.  YAY!!

I’m excited for the trip because (a) I really like my new job, and (b) I’m going to be doing some fun stuff while I’m away and I can’t wait to share it all with you. So again, sorry for the lack of updates but things will be back to normal VERY soon.

In the meantime, make sure you visit my friends for the latest TV news and gossip:

DuckyxDale

MeeVee 

Seriously? OMG! WTF!

Pajiba

The TV Addict

And while I’m gone, keep in touch with your fellow GMMRers by playing the GMMR Six Degrees Games.
(Click here to find out how to play)

First up…
Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) to Rachel Griffiths (Brothers & Sisters)

Go Towards the Light

If you’ve watched CNN or any of the early shows then you might know that the East Coast is being hit with one hell of a storm.  I got up at the wee hours of the morning to get some work done before heading out this afternoon to watch one of my best friends run the Boston Marathon.  Unfortunately I’ve been without electricity all morning.  It keeps going in and out…so annoying.  Before we lost power again I thought I would let you know what I’m up against.  So crazy!!  Anyway, sorry if things are a bit slow around here today. Why can’t it just be summer already?!

To everyone running the Boston Marathon today…BEST OF LUCK!!  The weather sucks but it will all be worth it when it’s over. And I hope all you GMMRers can send some well wishes to my friend STEPHANIE who is running her very first Boston Marathon today.  GO STEPHA!!!

Entourage Recap: Dog Day Afternoon

Title: “Dog Day Afternoon″
Original Airdate: April 15, 2007

Eh, for the second episode of the season, I had hoped for a little more from Entourage tonight.  Not much really happened. As always there was some good Ari/Lloyd interaction but not enough to make up for the other lackluster storylines.

Eric, Sloane, Vince and a girl to be named later are planning on going to Napa for the weekend.  Sloane would prefer a little one on one time with her boyfriend, but Eric doesn’t think Vince will be too happy about being left behind.  E tells Vince that Sloane wouldn’t be comfortable with Vince just bringing some random girl that they don’t know for a weekend away.  While Eric tells Sloane they are in the clear for a weekend alone, Vince finds a girl (Lindsay) and to make Sloane feel more comfortable, he thinks they should all go out to dinner to get to know each other.  Vince tells Eric that if Sloane doesn’t like this girl for any reason then he will stay home.  Eric and Sloane decide that no matter what they are going to hate this girl. But no one really counted on Sloane and Lindsay hitting it off.  Vince brings up Napa and all four decide that it will be a great time.  On their way out of the restaurant Lindsay says that she’s glad she’s passed Sloane’s test, and mentions that Vince told her that Sloane is picky about travel companions. Eric is pissed that Vince mentioned this to Lindsay, but not nearly as pissed as Sloane is at Eric for making her the scapegoat.  In the end Vince decides not to go, but opts to go on a littl vacay with Drama and Turtle instead.  As they kick it on a private jet on the way to Cabo, Eric and Sloane begin their seven hour drive to Napa. If only Sloane were speaking to Eric.
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Watchlist, Sunday April 15, 2007

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Entourage – Dog Day Afternoon
Eric objects to company on a romantic getaway with Sloan; Turtle and Drama check out the singles scene at a dog park; Ari enlists Lloyd’s help to snare an influential TV writer.

Drive – Series Premiere
A brand new high-speed show on the FOX network — sweet! A seemingly random group of citizens is chosen to participate in an underground, cross-country road race. In the opener, the first leg begins after a meeting in Florida, where the drivers start to size up the competition. Gentlemen (and ladies), start your engines!

Sopranos – Stage 5
The last episodes continue as the premiere of “Cleaver” gets Tony thinking about his relationship with nephew Christopher. Poor Johnny Sack absorbs more bad news in prison, and Phil analyzes his family history.

Brothers and Sisters
Rebecca is invited to join the Walkers’ tradition of a family game night, which pits them against their longtime rivals, the Joneses, including the pregnant Lizzie (Jenna Elfman) and her mother, Miranda (Susan Sullivan).

The Amazing Race
On the 10th leg of the race, the final four teams are challenged by high-flying kung-fu experts while scaling a large bamboo scaffold. Phil Keoghan is the host.

Desperate Housewives – Liasons
Tom feels threatened by the interest a new pizzeria employee shows in Lynette; Susan considers moving away; one Wisteria Lane neighbor’s darkest secret is revealed.

Scroll through the TV above to watch scenes and previews from tonight’s shows

The Office: “Product Recall” Pics

Episode title: “Product Recall”
Airing: April 26th at 8:30/7:30c
“The office is in crisis mode after a large shipment of Dunder-Mifflin paper is accidentally sent out with an obscene watermark. Michael tries to manage the media with an impromptu press conference. Jim and Andy try to calm the high school principal who has sent out prom invites on the affected stationery.”

All pictures courtesy of NBC/Universal

A Thrill Ride with DRIVE

Gentleman (and ladies) start your engines because you are in for one hell of a ride. This Sunday at 8/7c Fox premieres it’s new thrilling new drama, DRIVE. I’ve seen an advanced screener of the first hour of the 2 hour premiere episode and let me tell you, it’s a lot of fun. DRIVE is like “The Amazing Race”..on crack.DRIVE follows “seemingly” random people in the race of their lives…and perhaps for their lives. The contestants are participating in an illegal, underground cross-country road race in which the winner will receive $32 million dollars. While some sought out the race after hearing of the prize, others were…let’s just say “persuaded” to participate.

In the premiere episode we are introduced to some of the racers including:

Alex Tully (Nathan Fillion, “Firefly”), a gardener from Wisconsin who is one of those people persuaded into joining the race after being led to believe that winning the race means being reunited with his wife who has recently gone missing. Winston Salazar (Kevin Alejandro, “Ugly Betty”), a recent ex-con, abandoned in his childhood by his wealthy father who teams up with his brother Sean whom he just met. Wendy Patrakas (Melanie Lynskey, “Two and a Half Men”) a new mother who leaves her infant baby behind to not only run the race, but also run from her abusive husband. Corrina Wiles (Kristin Lehman, “Judging Amy”) a mysterious woman who teams up with a reluctant Alex after she stowed away in his car.

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Tyra Banks Goes off the Deep End Over Vaseline?

I’m not sure what to make of Tyra Banks these days. Every time I turn around this woman is just acting plain old kooky. Check out this clip as Tyra tries to goof on Oprah’s extravagant giveaways. I know she was just playing, but she kind of creeped me out.

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GMMR’s Six Degrees of TV Game

No, this game has nothing to do with the canceled ABC show, but I thought that since it’s Friday the 13th* we could play a little game to help pass the time until it’s officially the weekend. Most of you know ‘Six Degrees’ works, but for those of you who don’t, here’s how we play.

I’m going to name 2 actors/actresses, and YOU have to connect the two using 6 movies/tv shows or less.

Rules:

• Since this is a TV blog I’ll allow you to use TV shows as connectors. BUT…you can only use a TV show if the actor/actress was a series regular. If they showed up as a guest star on Law & Order or had a 3 episode arc on JAG it doesn’t count.

• Both actors must be alive
• Let’s not make them too hard or it will be a bit too hard.

Here’s an example of how this works:Michael Vartan (Alias) to Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy)

Michael Vartan was on ALIAS with JENNIFER GARNER
Jennifer Garner was in 13 GOING ON 30 with MARK RUFFALO
Mark Ruffalo was in JUST LIKE HEAVEN with REESE WITHERSPOON
Reese Witherspoon was in SWEET HOME ALABAMA with PATRICK DEMPSEY

Once you’ve made your 6 degrees connection share it with everyone in the comments and then you get to choose the next actor pairing for other to try to figure out. Got it? And let’s not make them too hard or no one will want to play.
Ok first up…Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) to Steve Carell (The Office)

GMMR Reviews: THE TV SET

I’m not a movie buff. I’m a TV addict. Being that so much of my time is spent watching TV, I often find myself bored and restless sitting through a 2+ hour long movie. I’m lucky if maybe I see two movies a year in an actual movie theater. But last month when I was invited to attend an L.A. screening of a new movie called THE TV SET, I thought hmmm, now this one I might actually like – a movie about television. And I was right.

The TV Set is a very smart and very funny dark comedy about what it really takes to get a TV show on the air. The movie follows the journey of veteran writer Mike Klein (David Duchovny) as he tries to get his new semi-autobiographical dramedy ‘The Wexler Chronicles’ from the script to the network schedule. Mike soon realizes that following the path of your dream isn’t always easy when there is a new compromise at every turn. From being denied his first choice in lead actor, to the network overriding almost all of his creative decisions (including the major plot device that drives the show), Mike has to wonder if making ‘The Wexler Chronicles’ is really worth selling out.

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Sneak Peek at this Week’s ENTOURAGE

My friends over at HBO just sent along this clip from this Sunday’s episode of Entourage. In this clip Drama and Turtle hit up a dog park to try to meet women. Instead of meeting some dogs they meet two hot blondes – including Busy Phillips (Freaks & Geeks, Dawson’s Creek).

Entourage is on Sunday at 10pm on HBO.

30 Rock Recap: Corporate Crush

Title: “Corporate Crush”
Original airdate: April 12, 2007
GMMR Recapper: Brian

30 Rock is not a better show than The Office, but last night I thought it was.

I never thought I’d utter such blasphemy, but the contrast between Tina Fey & Co. and the Dunder-Mifflin gang was striking, especially with the two shows running back-to-back. Or maybe I was just expecting a little more Jam.

Anyway, “Corporate Crush” turned out to be an apropos title, though who had a crush on whom was a bit unsettling. And who knew history could be so funny? Or hollow bones?

From the start, Liz (Fey) is all smiles, and it’s creeping Frank (Judah Friedlander) out. Floyd (Jason Sudeikis) has her walking on air. He gets her, she says, as a series of funny/corny flashbacks illustrates. Jack (Alec Baldwin) has less to smile about, though. GE Exec Don Geiss (Rip Torn) comes down hard on him for his midtown “Salute to Fireworks.” His vote of confidence comes even as he strips Jack of his title as director of microwave programming. To add insult to demotion, he points out Jack’s the only one in his division who’s not married. Even Bob’s married, and his wife looks like Walter Matthau.

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