What to Watch…Monday, June 30, 2008

I triple dog dare you to try to write a blog post from a Treo. Actually, I don’t wish that upon anyone so I’ll just tell you…it blows. But me, with my virus infected computers, has no other option than to post today’s ‘What to Watch’ list from my Treo during my lunch break.

If a reader happens to be a Mac dealer and has a new Mac Book Pro they want to send my way, I won’t turn it away (yes, I’m so desperate that I’m doing that).

But on to more pressing matters, like what you’re going to watch on TV tonight. Here’s a taste of what you have to choose from.

American Gladiators | 8pm on NBC
Here’s the skinny: Four amateur athletes who successfully lost weight are featured. In the men’s skirmish, a teacher (who shed 65 pounds) tries to chalk up a win against a waiter (who dropped more than 100 pounds).

The Bachelorette | 8pm on ABC
DeAnna accompanies her final three suitors to Grand Bahama Island for days filled with kayaking, off-road driving, Jet Skiing and horseback riding on the beach, followed by romantic dinners and, perhaps, nights spent in her fantasy suite.

Nashville Star | 9pm on NBC
The nine remaining acts perform, and one is eliminated. [GMMR: If you listen to the TV Talk Podcast then you know I only watch the first hour of this show each week. Well tonight I decided to go crazy and DVR the full episode. I’ll actually know who gets eliminated. I think…do they even do that during the show?]

The Mole | 10pm on ABC
The players must work together to be rescued from the freezing cold. Meanwhile, the most well-liked player becomes the most hated. [GMMR: Oh no! Not Craig? He is the most well liked, right?.]

What will YOU be watching tonight?

Amy Ryan Logging in More OFFICE Hours

File this one in the ‘good news’ folder.
Academy Award nominee, Amy Ryan, is going to be hanging around the Dunder Mifflin offices for a little while longer when THE OFFICE returns in the Fall. Ryan guested in last season’s finale as Holly Flax, the new HR rep who took over for Toby Flenderson when he decided to spend more time on the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica (also know as the writer’s room of THE OFFICE). And now according to Variety, Amy Ryan has signed on for at least 5 more episodes when the show returns to NBC in the Fall.

A shoe-in for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Star in a Comedy Series, Amy Ryan fit in so perfectly with the show and the craziness that is Dunder Mifflin that it was almost scary. Fans, who haven’t always taken kindly to new people joining the show (remember the brouhaha when it was announced that Ed Helms and Rashida Jones were coming on board?), immediately took to Ryan’s character who was set up as a possible love interest for Michael Scott.

Let’s hope that the peeps over in Van Nuys can woo Ms. Ryan to staying a bit longer than five episodes. It could happen. If you remember, Helms and Jones were only slated for a handful of episodes initially too, and look what happened with that.

If I didn’t say it before, please let me say it know…welcome to THE OFFICE community, Ms. Ryan.

This Week in TV Blog Banter

It’s your weekly round-up of the best in TV blogs. What were bloggers bantering about last week? Check it out for yourselves and weigh in.

• If thinking The Secret Life of the American Teenager could be cheesily addictive is wrong, Buzz doesn’t want to be right. (BuzzSugar)

• GMMR has been podcast crazy this past week. Two, count ’em, two podcasts! In addition to the usual GMMR/Ducky So You Think You Can Dance podcast (here), we devoted a separate TV Talk Podcast to what shows are taking over our TV this summer. (Give Me My Remote)

• Marcia decided to spend the summer hiatus watching old episodes of Buffy and wondered if the show improves with repeat viewings. (Pop Vultures)

• From Miami to Vancouver, this week Rae was on the set of Psych and she’s only to happy to share what happened. (RTVW)
• Viva la Vida or was Coldplay able to make an album this time around that doesn’t sound like a Coldplay cover band? (Scooter McGavin’s 9th Green)

• School’s out and Vance celebrates the end of an era now that Emma, daughter of Spike (from the original Degrassi) has now graduated from Degrassi High on Degrassi: The Next Generation. (Though The N will show those episodes this summer) (Tapeworthy)

• Remember that episode about the helpless dude who delivered the baby in the elevator? Oh yeah, that was every series ever. By that token, Dan decided to coin the term “elevator baby” and cement his role in pop culture history. (TiFaux)

• Tube Talk shared some scoop on the new season of Psych, after an interview with show stars James Roday and Dulé Hill, fondly remembered shows that were canceled too early, and asked for help in naming Tube Talk Girl’s future baby boy. (Tube Talk)

• This week we finally spotted someone who has a Nerdier license plate than the TV Addicts and released what critics, and by critics I mean listeners are saying was our funniest to date! (The TV Addict)

• Kate is disappointed enough with this season of My Boys that she drafted an open letter to the show’s writers. (TV Filter)

“I’m Chuck Bass”

Yes, you are!  Couldn’t resisting passing on this pic of GOSSIP GIRL star Ed Westwick, who plays the fabulously slimy Chuck Bass, as he films on location in the Hamptons. Well, I’m assuming this is “Chuck”, but it very well could be Ed.  Either way the pictures are hilarious.

I went from loathing Chuck at the beginning of the show to now salivating at every scene he is in. And no, not over Ed…just Chuck Bass. He’s just a fantastic character.  And his season ending “I’m Chuck Bass” was one of my favorite moments of this past TV season.

Hopefully there will be some GOSSIP GIRL scoop coming from all this filming that’s going on. I think The CW should invite some bloggers down to hang out with the GG gang…it’s only fitting. And some of us are only a short train ride away.  I’m just saying….

GOSSIP GIRL returns to The CW on Monday, September 1st.

Check out SeriouslyOMG.com for the full size pictures.  Thanks for sharing!

Exclusive: Ben Savage to Guest on CHUCK

One of my favorite faces from my early teen years will be making a bit of a comeback to the small screen in the Fall.  Ben Savage – younger brother of another teen crush Fred Savage- played Cory Matthews on BOY MEETS WORLD.  Now a few years older, Ben will make his mark in a guest appearance on CHUCK.

Savage plays a guy that was quite the nerd back in his high school days but somehow managed to marry guest star Nicole Richie’s character.  But now it seems that she enjoys abusing him. Oh Nicole, that ain’t nice! But as no one is really ever what they seem in the world of Chuck Bartowski, I’m told that Ben’s character is also into some bad stuff that forces Chuck and Sarah to infiltrate Sarah’s High School reunion.

No word yet on whether or not Topanga will be making an appearance…fingers crossed. Can’t wait!

Neil Patrick Harris is an Old Spice Kind of Guy

Check out Neil Patrick Harris, or as he’s know around here – the new #1 on GMMR’s ‘Must Meet’ list – in this cheeky new commercial for Old Spice during which NPH pokes fun at his Doogie Howser past. I’m glad he’s starting to embrace the icon that is Doogie.

Neil Patrick Harris…there are so many reasons why I love you. I can’t wait until the day (fingers crossed) we meet. I have visions of watching TiVod episodes of Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and trashing tabloid starlets. Until then…

TV Talk with GMMR and Ducky: Podcast #24 – Summer TV Preview

We promised you a SUMMER TV PREVIEW podcast and here it is! Kath and I run through all of the summer premiere dates for the new and returning shows as well as give you our input on our faves and more importantly the ones we would never watch in a million years! It’s great fun…

The Closer, Big Brother, My Boys, The Mole, So You Think You Can Dance, The Next Food Network Star, Design Star, Swingtown, Fear Itself, Army Wives, Ice Road Truckers, America’s Best Dance Crew, Wipeout, Flashpoint, Psych, Monk, Mad Men, The Middleman, Burn Notice and more… there’s no reason to be outside when what’s on TV is this hot!

Update: I just realized that Ducky and I didn’t talk about the new season of Project Runway. Just wanted to pass it on that our favorite fierce show returns on July 16th at 9pm on Bravo.

It’s TV Talk with GMMR & Ducky #24!

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Interested in catching up on our past podcasts? Head on over to the podcast page where you can listen to all of our previous episodes.

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Free Voice Mail (Comments/Questions):

This is Dan and Kathie’s favorite method of contact because it allows us to hear from you and we use these messages live on our podcast to answer your burning television questions. It’s FREE and you don’t have to do anything but click RECORD BY PHONE on the box below and it will walk you through how to contact us!

It’s super easy and free to leave us a message:

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Top Ten Emmy Finalists in Comedy & Drama

Has your favorite comedy or drama even have a shot at any Emmy this year? The Top 10 finalists for both categories have just been announced so you might want to check.

In an attempt to keep those annoying people who write blogs in check, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences have given us a heads up as to the top ten vote getters in both the Outstanding Drama Series category as well as the Outstanding Comedy Series category

The top ten in each category will be screened for a Blue Ribbon Panel over the course of this weekend.

The Emmy nominations are determined by averaging the total votes received for a particular show and the results of the Blue Ribbon Panelist. The five nominees in each category will be announced with all the other Emmy nominations at 8:30AM (est) on July 17th.

Here are the show that at least are in the running. My guesses for the Top 5 in each category are bolded.

Top 10 Comedy Series Finalists

• Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Entourage
• Family Guy
• Flight of the Conchords
• The Office
• Pushing Daisies
• 30 Rock
• Two and a Half Men
• Ugly Betty
• Weeds

A few thoughts…
I think the Academy will have a tough choice nominating both UGLY BETTY and PUSHING DAISIES since they both fall into that murky “dramadedy” category.  But I really honestly believe that PUSHING DAISIES should have the edge over BETTY.  I know I’m a bit biased, but UGLY BETTY certainly didn’t hold its brilliance from S1.  And those post-strike episodes were downright dreadful.  I think THE OFFICE and 30 ROCK are a lock and they should be.  I think 30 ROCK is going to pull out the win…if it’s nominated of course.
Top 10 Drama Series Finalists

• Boston Legal
• Damages
• Dexter
• Friday Night Lights
• Grey’s Anatomy
• House
• Lost
• Mad Men
• The Tudors
• The Wire

A few thoughts…
This category is a little bit tougher.  I feel pretty confident that MAD MEN and LOST will get the noms.  Glenn Close’s involvement with DAMAGES will probably sway more than a few people to vote for it.  Even if they haven’t seen it or know much about it I think they’re going to assume it’s great since she was on board.  I know it’s a long shot for both FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and THE WIRE because Emmy hasn’t shown any love to date, but I thought it was a nice sign that both at least made it to the Top 10.  FNL is still one of the best shows on TV despite its rocky second season.  I’ve never seen THE WIRE (I know, I know…shut it ‘shida) but I hear it’s fantastic.  And since it just ended its run I think there is a small chance the Emmys will finally recognize it.  Personally I think we will see LOST walk away with the big prize, and I have zero problem with that.  Oh and if GREY’S ANATOMY takes one of the spots, them shame on the voters.  With the exception of the fantastic post-strike episodes, GREY’S was weak sauce all season.

And now I turn it over to you my trusty little TV fanatics.  Did your faves makes the list?  Who would you like to see in your Fave 5?

Check out ‘Quest’ on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

Last night’s featured performance on SYTYCD might be on the sickest things I have ever seen on this show. Or on any stage for that matter. Quest is a dance group that happens to feature a few familiar faces including season 3 contestants Hok Konishi and Dominic Sandoval.

I’m not even going to attempt to explain how brilliant this piece was. It’s something you just need to see for yourself. (I’m off to watch it for the 5th time)

And for those of you GMMRers who don’t watch SYTYCD – give this video a shot…I think you’ll dig it.

Who Went Home on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE?

Updated Results: Want to know who went home on SYTYCD tonight? Click here to find out: Who Went Home on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (July 1st)

PREVIOUS DANCE

It’s just about midnight and I just finished watching tonight’s installment of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. As exhausted as I am I couldn’t go to bed without sharing my thoughts on the dancers eliminated tonight. Especially as there seems to be a lot of unrest about who was sent packing.

But before we get to the eliminated contestants, how banoodles was Wade Robson’s Mia Michael’s opening routine? I’m a big fan of the darker, more macabre routines and I think it’s why I am such a fan of Wade Robson’s work (ramalama anyone?), but tonight I was surprised to see the creepy crazy coming out of Mia Michaels. Don’t get me wrong, I know Ms. Michael is a nut job, and I mean that with the great respect, but sista is out there. So I should have expected this from her, but I didn’t. Shame on me. It was fantastic. And what a stand out performance for Mark. You are quickly become a favorite you little freak.

Dancing for their lives…

I can’t say that I was shocked to see Chelsea & Thayne, Comfort & Chris, or Kourtni & Matt in the bottom three tonight. I don’t think that Kourtni and Matt really deserved to be there, but I can see why they were there, and I’m not sure I can easily swap them out with another couple and feel 100% ok about it.

Read more

CBS Announces 2008 Fall Premiere Dates

Anyone else giddy with excitement over just the announcement of the Fall premiere dates? Today CBS released their ’08 launch dates and my calendar has already been marked. My two favorite CBS shows, THE BIG BANG THEORY and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, will be back on September 22nd with a few newbie premiering later in the week. CSI won’t kick off its 9th season until October 9th due to conflicts with Presidential debates.

(continue reading after the jump for the full schedule)

CBS’ 2008-2009 Premiere Dates

Thursday, Sept. 18
8-9 p.m.: Survivor (17th season premiere)

Monday, Sept. 22
8-8:30 p.m.: The Big Bang Theory (2nd season premiere)
8:30-9 p.m.: How I Met Your Mother (4th season premiere)
9-9:30 p.m.: Two and a Half Men (6th season premiere)
9:30-10 p.m.: Worst Week (series debut)
10-11 p.m.: CSI: Miami (7th season premiere)

Tuesday, Sept. 23
8-9 p.m.: NCIS (6th season premiere)
9-10 p.m.: The Mentalist (series debut)
10-11 p.m.: Without a Trace (7th season premiere)

Read more

My Favorite SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Routines

There were a few find performances from last night’s SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, but two really stood out for me.

Chelsie & Mark: Hip Hop…
My favorite routine of the night was Chelsie and Mark’s Hip Hop routine by Napoleon and Tabitha. A great story, a fantastic performance – everything I wanted to see in a dance. These two hit some sick moves with such precision. I think they might be my favorite couple. Too early to call? Maybe. But I am really digging what they’ve been doing.

Katee & Joshua: Rumba…
The other stand out routine for me last night was the Rumba choreographed by Tony & Melanie and performed by Joshua and Katee. Y’all know I’ve been a big fan of Joshua since day one, and he didn’t disappoint last night. The guy is so versatile and has a great personality – just what this competition needs. I, like many of you, have been hesitant to warm up to Katee, but she showed me something last night. The performance was smokin’ hot and I loved every second of it.

If you missed the other routines and or want to relive the glory, Ducky can hook you up.

And if you haven’t yet listened to our full breakdown of last night’s performances check out TV Talk with GMMR & Ducky’s SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Podcast: Top 16 Performances.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT…Kind Of

I really don’t like to spend much time blogging about shows that I don’t watch. I find that I don’t have anything particularly interesting to add to the conversation. But it seems that a few GMMR readers are watching AMERICA’S GOT TALENT. Not sure why, but you seem to be digging it. I’m not here to judge. I am judging you for watching, but it’s not my sole purpose (just kidding my dears).

So for Tim R., Becca L, and Kismet who urged me to check out the show (yeah, that’s not goingt, I’m pass along some memorable moments from this season’s AMERICA’S GOT TALENT. (And if nothing else you can make fun of The Hoff…always an easy task).

Four Year Old Singer Kaitlyn Maher…
I’m not sure how I feel about this audition. Yes, little Kaitlyn is off the charts adorable, and she can actually sing better than most four year olds, but there’s something not right to me about putting a 4-year old on the grand stage like this. She’s not going to get very far in the competition and I question whether or not it’s fair to put that level of pressure on such a little girl. But anyway, you have a cold, dead heart if you don’t find her appearance absolutely charming.

More performances after the jump….
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What to Watch…Thursday, June 26, 2008

Thursdays are hands down summer’s biggest night for TV. Isn’t it nice to have quality shows to choose from? I know what my DVR will be recording. What about YOU?Here’s just a sample of the TV you have to choose from tonight.

So You Think You Can Dance | 8pm on Fox
Two more dancers rumba their way off the stage tonight for the final time. The three couples with the lowest votes will split up and dance for their lives in solo routines in a last ditch effort to impress the judges and stay in the competition. And spoiler alert: Cat Deeley will continue her reign as my favorite TV host on air. Love you, Cat!

Last Comic Standing | 8:00pm on NBC
The brightest comics from the audition rounds return to be appraised in Week 1 of the semifinals in Las Vegas. Richard Belzer and Steve Schirripa serve as guest talent scouts.

The Bill Engvall Show | 9pm on TBS
“No Gifts, Please”
Susan suggests that they refrain from buying gifts for their wedding anniversary, but Bill buys a present just in case Susan changes her mind; meanwhile, Paul gets frustrated when his girlfriend won’t reply to his email.

My Boys | 9:30pm on TBS
“The Shirt Contest”
PJ is hired to write articles for a prominent athlete, but the task becomes challenging when the athlete turns out to be a handful; Brendan feels even more miserable after he discovers that his former girlfriend is in a new relationship.

Kathy Griffin: My Life of the D-List | 10pm on Bravo
Kathy plays hostess and performs a stand-up comedy routine during a 15-hour, gay-themed flight from San Francisco to Australia; Kathy craves attention as she rides atop a float through downtown Sydney during Gay Mardi Gras.

Swingtown | 10pm on CBS
“Cabin Fever”
Susan and Bruce invite the Deckers to join them for a weekend getaway at their two-bedroom cabin when the Thompsons back out of the trip. Later, things really get cozy when Roger and Janet change their minds and decide to drive up to the cabin.

Hopkins | 10pm on ABC | Series Premiere
This six-part documentary series about life inside Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore opens with the story of a doctor who entered the U.S. illegally in the 1980s and is now one of the country’s elite brain surgeons.

Fear Itself | 10pm on NBC
“In Sickness and in Health”
PSYCH stars (and real life couple) Maggie Lawson and James Roday star in tonight’s installment of FEAR ITSELF. A bride (Maggie Lawson) receives a mysterious note on her wedding day accusing her groom (James Roday) of being a serial killer. Directed by John Landis. Christie Laing, Sonja Bennett and Marshall Bell also star.

Late Night TV…

• The Late Show with David Letterman | 11:35pm on CBS: Mary-Kate Olsen, Jim Gaffigan, Gavin DeGraw
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | 11:35pm on NBC: Justin Timberlake, Karen Allen, Sheryl Crow (R 6/10/08)
• The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | 11:00pm on Comedy Central: Ted Koppel
• The Colbert Report | 11:30pm on Comedy Central: Rep. Robert Wexler
• Chelsea Lately | 11:30pm on E!:Ken Davitian, Maz Jobrani, Sheryl Underwood, Mike Siegel
• Jimmy Kimmel Live | 12:05am on ABC: Whoopi Goldberg, Fred Willard, Cyndi Lauper
• The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | 12:35am on CBS: James McAvoy, Bengt Washburn
• Late Night with Conan O’Brien | 12:35am on NBC: Christina Applegate, Lewis Black, Stephen Curry (R 4/4/08)
• Last Call with Carson Daly | 1:35am on NBC: Bill Bellamy, Brett Dennen (R 5/21/08)

Seriously, there’s a lot to watch tonight. What to watch? Hmmm. I say…watch it all!

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Podcast: Top 16 Perform

Last night the top 16 dancers rumba’d, samba’d and hip-hopped their way into our hearts on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE which means its time for another TV Talk with GMMR & Ducky: SYTYCD Podcast!

This week Ducky and I go on and on about the return of Adam Shankman, the surprisingly great Katee and Joshua as well as the two that stole our hearts, Chelsea and Mark. It was a great night of dance, screams and bedazzling.

Check out our TV Talk Podcast: SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Edition. It’s once again banoodles!

Listen Now: New! So You Think You Can Dance Podcast: Top 16 Perform

Playing catch up? Check out our first two Season 4 SYTYCD podcasts:

• SYTYCD Podcast: Top 18 Perform (Week 2 Performance Podcast)
• SYTYCD Podcast: Top 20 Perform (Week 1 Performance and Results)
• SYTYCD Podcast: Top 20 Revealed

What did YOU think of last night’s Top 18 performances? Were there any stand outs? Did the judges have it right? Leave a comment and let us know.

Podcast Feedback:
iTunes Comments – This is a great way to spread the word about our podcast and it really helps new listeners determine if they want to subscribe to us or not based on YOUR COMMENTS. Please share your feedback on TV Talk with Ducky & GMMR Podcast at iTunes.

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