Nicole Richie to Guest on CHUCK…No Seriously.

What do Buster Bluth and Nicole Richie have in common? They’ll both be guesting on the upcoming second season of CHUCK. While the casting of Tony Hale as the assistant manager of Buy More is truly inspired, I don’t think I can say I’m giddy with anticipation at the thought of seeing Nicole Richie bust on to the screen of one of my favorite shows.

Personally I’m not quite enjoying this trend of tabloid starlets guesting on quality shows. Yes, Britney impacted the ratings of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, but if we’re being honest didn’t people really turn in to see how much of a train wreck she would be? And with all her off-camera antics it’s easy to forget that Lindsay Lohan once was (and I guess still is) an actress. Still her upcoming guest arc on UGLY BETTY reeks of stunt casting. And now Nicole Richie? I know she was on that awful reality show with Paris, but is she an actress? I thought last week she was a singer? Can’t keep track these days

According to the news coming out of the CHUCK camp, Nicole will play a high school nemesis of Agent Sarah Walker. It seems that Richie’s character was a “snarky and spiteful girl who tortured Sarah in school.” Please don’t confuse Richie with Lohan who will portray the snarky and spiteful high school nemesis who tortured Betty Suarez on UGLY BETTY this fall. Different network.

According to Executive Producer Josh Schwartz, “Nicole auditioned for the part and was very funny. This role is a great opportunity for her to show off her comedic skills and be diabolically evil and kick some butt. It’s going to be really fun.”

You all know I love me some Schwartzy and trust him to know what’s right for his shows, but was Nicole’s audition so great that she legitimately beat out other actors for the role? Can’t say I honestly believe that one.

But maybe Nicole Richie will prove me wrong. Maybe she’ll be outstanding in this role. She’s lucky that she has the great Yvonne Strahovski and Zachary Levi to play off of and the writing staff of CHUCK behind her. If anyone can make her funny, it’s them.

Update: Richie isn’t the only new casting news for CHUCK. I’ve got some news on who might be joining her in this episode.  I can’t spill it just yet but soon enough. Also, I’ve been told to ‘have faith’ with regards to Nicole’s appearance…so I will.

WIPEOUT – My New Summer Guilty Pleasure

It’s not normal to watch three game shows back-to-back-to-back, but that’s just what I did last night…and I vow never to do it again.

Between them, ABC and NBC unveiled three new shows last night: WIPEOUT and I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW on ABC and CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD on NBC. Of all three, only WIPEOUT is worthy of your eyeballs (and your precious TiVo space).

I first saw a glimpse of WIPEOUT during the ABC Upfront presentation in May. It’s certainly got the best crowd reaction of any show previewed (which I’m not sure says as much about WIPEOUT as it does ABC’s Fall offering, but anyway…). I’ve been anticipating the premiere since then and was so excited to see if the full episode held up to the buzz worthy clip from the Upfronts. And I think it did.

WIPEOUT forced contestants through various, physically trying obstacles on their quest for the grand prize of $50,000. There are four stages: The Qualifier, The Sweeper, The Dizzy Dummy and The Wipeout Zone. Each stage contains various smaller obstacles all of which is (a) guaranteed to throw the contestants into an unpleasant substance (water or mud in last night’s game) or (b) inflict some kind of physical pain. And that’s where the fun comes in.

Read more

“Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” Teaser Video

Can’t wait for the much anticipated online mini-musical from Joss Whedon? Yeah, me neither. Lucky for us a short teaser video was just released giving us a first look at “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”.

If that word floating around your head is “huh?” then let me explain. “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” is the brain child of Joss Whedon. While on strike, Joss and his brother’s Zack and Jed, along with Jed’s fiance Maurissa, wrote a 3-part musical internet series. Each “episode” will run approximately ten minutes.In Joss’s own words, “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is the story of a “low-rent super-villain, the hero who keeps beating him up, and the cute girl from the laundromat he’s too shy to talk to.”

The series stars Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Horrible. Nathan Fillion as Captain Hammer. And Felicia Day as Penny. Crazy cast, right?

There are rumors floating about that there will be a “Dr. Horrible” panel at Comic-Con. That’s one that I’ll be getting in line for….early. (And it will be my first chance to meet the man who has moved to the #1 spot on GMMR’s ‘Must Meet’ list – Neil Patrick Harris.)

Thanks to DoctorHorrible.net for the video and Whedonesque for the tip.

Are You a Fan of PYSCH?

Are you a fan of PSYCH?  I am…big time! So you can imagine how devastated I was to have to pass on the PSYCH set visit that’s happening as we speak (or I guess as I write) in Vancouver. One of these days when I hit the lottery and do this blogging thing full time I’ll be able to jet off on all these fabulous press trips, but for now I have to live in the real world for a bit.  What a bummer, right?But listen, just because I’m not there doesn’t mean you have to miss out.  My friend Rae from Ramblings of a TV Whore is in Vancouver right now, and in between watching them film and hanging out with James Roday and Dule Hill (nope, I’m not bitter or anything) she’s providing some great updates.   So make sure you keeping checking back for the latest from the set of PYSCH!!

And don’t forget, PSYCH returns to USA with all new episodes on Friday, July 18th @ 10/9c.

Upfront Memories ’08: CHUCK’s Zachary Levi & Yvonne Strahovski

Since I don’t want you to forget your favorite TV stars while they on their summer vacation, I’m going to continue to share my best memories and favorite pictures from this Spring’s Network Upfronts.

I’ve already shared my encounters with Joshua Jackson, the cast of THE OFFICE, and my night shimming and shaking with the kids of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. And now it’s time to talk super spies.

One of this past year’s hottest shows, and one of my personal favorites, CHUCK, had two break out stars in Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski. And both were there representing their show at the NBC Upfronts held at Rockerfeller Center. I was giddy to meet these pretty people in person (just check out my smile).

There were so many TV stars kickin’ it at the NBC party that I didn’t even know Zachary and Yvonne were there until a bit later in the night. But the minute I spotted them I couldn’t wait to snag a pic. Kelly (my infamous Upfront friend) and I jumped in line and had our moment. And let me just say, that it should be illegal for someone to ever stand next to Yvonne Strahovski – the woman is gorgeous…it just ain’t right. And don’t even get me started on Mr. Zachary Levi. Zach has the rare ability to pull off adorkable and down right sexiness all in the same scene. You can see why he’s the latest additon to my TV boyfriend list. And the best thing about Zach is how super sweet he is. We had a few minutes to chat later in the night and I was completely smitten. I’m not sure where the line is between Chuck Bartowski and Zachary Levi but I’m fine with either…or both.

CHUCK will be back in the Fall with all new episodes. I just got word directly from a source with the show that they are currently in production on the third episode of the season.

For those of you who need a CHUCK fix then be sure to keep your eyes out for the all new CHUCK comic book, and if you’re really lucky you can be there for the CHUCK panel at Comic Con next month.

If you wanted to check out CHUCK last season and didn’t get the chance, it’s not too late. Get caught up during the summer with free episodes on Hulu.com. And if you can’t, no worries. You can jump right with the second season premiere and I promise you can catch on and catch up quickly.

Already a fan of CHUCK? Leave a comment and show the love…convince those on the fence that this is a show worth checking out.

Meanwhile, I’m off to see if I can get myself involved in an international drama in the hopes that Chuck, Sarah and Casey can come and save me.

THE MOLE: Selfish or Selfless?

Another red thumb print appears and with it goes another contestant who is not The Mole. But who is? There are few contestants left so you would think it would be easier to figure it out, right? Nope. Well at least not for me. I’m as confused as ever.

Last night’s format was a little different with a competition, then dinner, and then a teaser competition that sent one contestant madder than a pig in a bathtub. People need to get a grip.

During the first competition, the team earned money by bringing gold bars up the Andes Mountain. The first team to the top earned exemption. It’s easier to get to the top with less gold bars, but less gold bars means less money for the pot. The “Selfish” team of Clay, Kristen, Victoria and Nicole made it to the top first and carried with them 23 bars. The “Selfless” team of Paul, Alex, Mark and Craig struggled a bit up the mountain, but brought with them more gold and lots more money for the team.

As the big man of the group, Craig struggled up the mountain and eventually needed to be taken down by am ambulance. But in the end all was well and he was able to rejoin the group. To Craig’s credit we didn’t hear much bitching or moaning. Can you imagine if Bobby had to do that task? Paul might have thrown him off the mountain.

Read more

What to Watch…Tuesday, June 24, 2008

MAJOR computer issues are plaguing me today. Unfortunately a nasty little virus has completely taken over my main GMMR computer and has rendered me almost useless. I’m doing what I can with my backup computer but I can’t say that I feel like I’m at full capacity. I’m going to have to find some time to get my computer over to Chuck Bartowski and The Nerd Herd and have it fixed, but until then I’ll do what I can with what I have.

Ok, enough about that. Let’s talk about TV. Once again it’s ALL reality, but on the bright side there’s actually a few shows I want to check out, namely, WIPEOUT. I saw a extended preview of this obstacle based game show at the ABC Upfronts and it got a great reception. Can’t say what it will look like in its full format, but the preview was hysterical. And staying with the game show format is I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW. I haven’t seen much of it but I have seen plenty of Japanese game shows and it could be funny.

CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD doesn’t really intrigue me much, but get back to me when the cast of ‘The Office’ is on and I’m sure I’ll be happy.

Wipeout | 8pm on ABC | Series Premiere
John Anderson and John Henson host this show, which features 24 contestants competing on an extreme obstacle course for a $50,000 prize. Contestants in the opener include a deputy sheriff, a pastor, a go-go dancer, a masseuse, a waitress.

Celebrity Family Feud | 8pm on NBC | Series Premiere
The families of Ice-T and Joan and Melissa Rivers compete while Raven-Symone’s clan faces off against Wayne Newton’s family in the series premiere of this star-studded version of the classic game show. Al Roker hosts.

I Survived a Japanese Gameshow | 9pm on ABC | Series Premiere
An elimination contest follows 10 Americans as they compete in a zany Japanese game show. In the opener, contestants must eat food from a plate perched on the head of a teammate running in place on a treadmill.

America’s Got Talent | 9pm on NBC
Evaluators David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne continue to judge talent in Week 2 of competition.

Hell’s Kitchen | 9pm on Fox
Chef Ramsay prepares breakfast for the three remaining chefs—and a few guests—then asks the contestants to replicate the dishes they ate. Later, Ramsay sabotages the dinner service to see how they react to adversity.

Deadliest Catch | 9pm on Discovery
After injuring his ribs on the Cornelia Marie, Captain Phil begins coughing up blood but refuses to receive medical treatment until his crew stops working; the decks of the Early Dawn, North American and Northwestern are torn apart by a large storm.

Are there any shows that you are going to check out?  Maybe another show that was left off this list?

IDOL’s Michael Johns and The Dan Band

It seems that AMERICAN IDOL viewers were a bit cheated by the early dismissal of Michael Johns. Not only was he one of the most talented singers on the show but the guy is funny as all hell. His true personality certainly didn’t come through during his time on the show. But in interviews and appearances since his outing, Michael Johns has proved to be one hysterical dude.

A friend just sent along this link of Michael Johns at a recent The Dan Band concert and it cracked me up so I wanted to pass it along.

WARNING! This video contains language not suitable for young children, the sensitive elderly, or your boss…unless your boss is pretty laid back or deaf.

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.

• It may be the Summer hiatus, but Buzz still has a few questions for Grey’s Anatomy. (BuzzSugar)

• If you know the significance of the ‘bench dance’, understand the genius of Mia Michaels, and secretly want to be on the Hot Tamale Train then you should check out GMMR & Ducky’s So You Think You Can Dance podcast. (Give Me My Remote)

• Marcia found herself thoroughly underwhelmed by The Middleman. (Pop Vultures)

• On the set of Burn Notice, Rae discovers that Jeffrey Donovan’s just as cool as his alter-ego Michael Westen. (RTVW)

• Low production value, cheesy stories and 30 points for yet another “sassy” female lead, but The Middleman is actually entertaining. (Scooter McGavin’s 9th Green)

• Vance video recaps The Tony Awards since apparently, no one watched it on TV. By the way, go see In The Heights, Passing Strange and Xanadu (for real!)! All fantastic! Take a look at the clips for proof! (Tapeworthy)

• Dan didn’t see the mid-season finale of Battlestar Galactica coming — that’s for dang sure. This week, he mulled the twist ending as well as the concept of merging our world with Battlestar’s. (TiFaux)

• Jennifer thinks the Oscars and Emmys should take a cue from the TV Land Awards. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen Horshack from Welcome Back Kotter, Nellie Oleson from Little House on the Prairie, and Doc from The Love Boat dressed in their trademark costumes flying through the air, or the paparazzi catching a panty-free crotch shot of Mama from Mama’s Family. Add in the cast of The Office, Wilhelmina Slater, Justin Timberlake and a Lionel Richie concert, and the TV Land Awards were just about perfect. (Tube Talk)

• This week, the TV Addict posted his theory on the highly anticipated spin-off of THE OFFICE and visited the set of BURN NOTICE (the TV Addict)

• Raoul talked to loudmouth Jen from Hell’s Kitchen. (TV Filter)

What to Watch…June 23, 2008

Monday! Monday! Monday! It’s back to work, and back to TV. I can’t say there’s a ton of compelling shows to check out tonight, but certainly enough to keep you busy. I’m really going to try to get in at least one episode on my Project: Supernatural quest, but I’ve been failing miserably so I’m not making any promises.

Ok, back to TV. Here’s a sampling of what’s on tonight.

American Gladiators | 8pm on NBC
In contests featuring two married couples, a wrestling coach tries to take down a financial adviser. In the ladies round, a sales rep battles a social worker. [GMMR: I like the obstacle courses but I find most of the contestants annoying with all their fake bravado.]

The Bachelorette | 8pm on ABC
DeAnna meets her final four on their home courts when she meets their families. One dinner is disturbingly tense, another’s family warns her not to be a heartbreaker, and a third guy’s mother is surprisingly candid. [GMMR: I feel like I’ve heard nothing of this season so far. Are people watching? Is DeAnna and her men at least entertaining?]

I Love the New Millennium | 9pm & 10pm on VH1
An eight-part series featuring stars reminiscing about pop-culture phenomena of the new millennium begins with the year 2000. The second episode follows and looks waaaaay back to 2001.

Nashville Star | 9pm on NBC
The 10 remaining acts are whittled down by one. [GMMR: There are definitely a few good people but I was kind of surprised by how many really weak entertainers made it on to the show. There are so many talented wannabe country singers that I thought the talent would be of a higher caliber.]

The Mole | 10pm on ABC
The last eight contestants travel to the Andes Mountains for a grueling uphill climb carrying bricks of gold. [GMMR: Hopefully Paul will come down with laryngitis, because I’d really like to go a whole episode without hearing his annoying voice.]

Late Night TV…

• The Late Show with David Letterman | 11:35pm on CBS: Will Smith, Joe Buck
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | 11:35pm on NBC: Sally Field, Jesse Ventura, Sleepercar (R 5/2/08)
• The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | 11:00pm on Comedy Central: James McAvoy
• The Colbert Report | 11:30pm on Comedy Central: Barbara Ehrenreich
• Chelsea Lately | 11:30pm on E!: Ashanti, Owen Benjamin, Jake Sasseville, Arden Myrin (R 6/12/08)
• Jimmy Kimmel Live | 12:05am on ABC: Seann William Scott, Emmanuelle Chriqui, N.E.R.D. (R 6/10/08)
• The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | 12:35am on CBS: David Hasselhoff, Miriam Shor, Amos Lee
• Late Night with Conan O’Brien | 12:35am on NBC: Jonah Hill, John Tesh, Drive-By Truckers (R 3/11/08)
• Last Call with Carson Daly | 1:35am on NBC: Olivia Wilde, Grizzly Bear (R 5/14/08)

What will YOU be watching tonight?

Red Sox Blame It On the Rain Delay – Papelbon and Del Carmen Remix

No one can really argue that the Boston Red Sox are a team full of personality. The reigning World Series Champs have entertained us a lot with their antics over the past few seasons, both on and off the field. And for fans of the Sox I thought I would share another instant classic with you. If case you missed it, Red Sox pitchers Jonathan Papelbon and Manny Del Carmen have recorded a little video to entertain the crowd during those pesky rain delays.

Perhaps not exactly TV related but I had a giggle all the same.

GMMR Flashback: Rags to Riches

Every once in a while it’s important to look back at our history and understand how the events of those who came before us affected life as we know it today. These events shaped who we are and we must pay them the proper respect they deserve. In order to properly honor our forefathers (or two fathers in the case of Nicole Bradford), GMMR will start to look back at those whose influence made us the people we are today.

Rags to Riches: A wealthy business man looking to improve his public image takes in orphaned girls to share his home for a week. While in their new temporary home the girls get a glimpse of the good life and are so overwhelmed by it all that they have no choice but to break out into song as a way to express their true feelings. But just as they are starting to enjoy it all the publicity stunt ends and the wealthy man prepares to send the girls back to the orphanage. But with the help of the wealthy man’s butler, he realizes how much the girls brought to his life and decides to adopt them and raise them as his daughters. Together the wealthy business man and his new adopted daughters break out into song to celebrate their joy.

Yes, RAGS TO RICHES was a complete and utter rip off an ANNIE, but I didn’t mind. I just knew that in 1987 this 11 year old wanted nothing more than to be part of a world where everyone was singing, singing, singing.

The characters on the show used songs from the 50’s and 60’s to express themselves, often rewriting the lyrics to fit the show’s plot and ultimately bastardizing the song to within an inch of its life. Looking back at the clips I see the horror of what they were doing, but at the time I loved every minute of it.

RAGS TO RICHES only lasted a season and a half but I’ve never forgotten it. And every time I look at my rich father and my 5 adopted sisters while we are holding hands and signing in the mall I know which TV show to thank.

(…and yes, that’s Tisha Campbell doing her thing as my favorite sister, Marva)

Related posts:
GMMR Flashback: Doogie Howser, M.D.

THE DAILY SHOW Week in Review

With my new job starting this week I feel like I’ve been a little out of touch with the whole TV world. THE DAILY SHOW was nice enough to put together a week in review just for me. No one else. Ok I will share it with you but only because I’m nice. A special thanks to my good friend Jon Stewart for taking time out of his busy schedule to create this for me..you’re a doll.

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 (November 18th)

PREVIOUS POST

16 is just a nice number isn’t it? Well not for Susie Garcia and Marquis Cunningham who were the latest dancers eliminated from SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. We all saw it coming…well at least we knew Susie was going home. And although it makes sense that her partner would be eliminated along with her, I didn’t think Marquis deserved to go home yet.I guess I got a little ahead of myself and jumped right to the end, didn’t I? Well, to back up the Hot Tamale Train for just a second, let’s first talk about the opening group number and then the bottom three couples, all of which were asked to dance for their lives.

The Group Routine…
Tonight’s opening group routine was a Shane Sparks original and I LOVED it. I love me some Shane Sparks and I have missed him this season. It’s nice to know that although he won’t be judging he’s still going to be somewhat involved in the show. Marquis opened the number with class and when the poppers took over I was hooked. Comfort was amazing and really held her own up there with the likes of Twitch, Will and Joshua. I kind of felt that the non-Hip Hoppers were just background players, but that’s ok…they’ll have their chance to shine. Bravo Sparksy!!

Dance for Your Life…
Much like my girl crush Cat Deeley, I’m all about getting down to business, so let’s talk about the three couples dancing for their lives. Joining Susie and Marquis and doing solo routines this week were Comfort & Chris and Chelsea & Thayne. I’m not sure any of those couples were a big surprise to be in the bottom this week.

Read more

AMERICA’S BEST DANCE CREW Kicks Off Season 2 Tonight

You know I love me some So You Think You Can Dance. But my affinity for that show kept me from watching season one of MTV’s own dance competition, AMERICA’S BEST DANCE CREW. Shame on me. I missed out. The episodes I saw in reruns since the JabbaWockeeZ took home the crown at the end of last season have been sick. The dancing is amazing, the choreographer is dazzling. Clearly I should have been watching.

Tonight is my chance to redeem myself as AMERICA’S BEST DANCE CREW returns to kick off Season 2. If you haven’t yet checked it out, why not give it a shot. I think it will be well worth our time.

Beginning tonight at 10pm ET/PT on MTV, ten new dance crews come together for their chance to become “America’s Best Dance Crew.” AC Slater himself, Mario Lopez, is back as host as are judges JC Chasez, Lil Mama and Shane Sparks. Oh, so that’s where my little Shane Sparks has been. One crew will be eliminated in the first episode and every Thursday night until only one remains.

Meet the 10 new crews:

• A.S.I.I.D. (Detroit, MI) – They grew up in tough neighborhoods and lean on each other for support. Their inspiration comes from crew member Joey who is deaf.

• Boogie Bots (Washington, DC) – They think of themselves as robots that have come to life. Each performance is dedicated to crew member Joesar’s father, who has been in a coma for the past six months.

• Distorted X (Houston, TX) – All are studio dancers who have dubbed themselves “Houston Socialites — without the money.”

Read more

« Previous Page — Next Page »