Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Monday, March 30, 2009

It’s cruel. It’s unfair. Despite two, yes two DVRs, it’s just not possible to watch all the TV I want to watch tonight. All my favorite Monday shows are back with brand new episodes. We’ve been pretty luck to date. Either by design or chance, we’ve had only few weeks where all the 8pm shows were up against each other with new episodes. Usually at least one of the shows is a repeat leaving an open slot for another favorite to slip in.  But not tonight.  All the show are new. And if that wasn’t enough, a new favorite of mine, GREEK (more on GREEK later), also enters into the Monday at 8pm cluster’f.

Why do you do this to me networks? Why?! I’ve gox six…SIX must see shows up against each other tonight!!

Here’s what I’m up against tonight.  Check below to see how I’m choosing to play the game tonight.

Chuck | 8pm on NBC
“Chuck Versus the The Broken Heart”
A heartless agent (Tricia Helfer) is sent to evaluate Sarah’s performance as Chuck’s handler; Morgan, Lester and Jeff try to get invited to Awesome’s bachelor party. [GMMR: Just when I needed a BSG fix CHUCK brings on Tricia Helfer. I’m beside myself with anticipation!]

Greek | 8pm on ABC Family | Season Premiere
“Take Me Home Cyprus Rhodes”
Casey returns with secret plans to move out of the ZBZ house; a new freshman is highly desired as a pledge; Rusty tries to balance studying with life in the Kappa Tau house. [GMMR: We need to talk GREEK later today. Time for me to convert some peeps!]

The Big Bang Theory | 8pm on CBS
“The Dead Hooker Juxtaposition
Penny develops a rivalry with a sexy new female neighbor who threatens her position as queen bee of the building.

How I Met Your Mother | 8pm on CBS
“Murtaugh”
Barney tries to prove Ted wrong by completing every task on Ted’s list of things he thinks the gang is too old to do.

Gossip Girl | 8pm on The CW
“Remains of the J”
Serena decides to plan a small party for Jenny’s 16th birthday; Vanessa helps Chuck with a scheme involving Nate and Blair; Rufus discovers that Dan won’t receive financial aid from Yale.. [GMMR: Please please let this episode be an improvement on the last two weeks. I’m begging you, Gossip Girl writers.]

House | 8pm on Fox
“Locked In”
A man (Mos Def) awakens in a New York hospital after a bicycle accident, unable to move or communicate; House, injured and occupying the next hospital bed, insists he knows what the man is suffering from and has him transferred to Princeton Plainsboro.

Heroes | 9pm on NBC
“Into Asylum”
Nathan and Claire go into hiding in Mexico; Danko’s plan is set into motion; Peter and Angela try to mend their relationship.

24 | 8pm on Fox
“Day 7: 11:00PM – 12:00AM”
The FBI is forced to collaborate with other federal agencies; the threat intensifies as the administration shakes things up and seeks a new perspective.

One Tree Hill| 9pm on The CW
“Letting Go”
Brooke gets a surprising offer from Julian, and Sam and Jack face off against their school principal. Meanwhile, Lucas visits a meaningful place from his past and brings Nathan and Jamie along; and Skills takes Mouth on a road trip.

Castle | 10pm on ABC
“Hell Hath No Fury”
Castle and Beckett investigate the death of a city councilman; Beckett tries to throw Castle off his game during one of his book readings.

Medium | 10pm on NBC
“Truth Be Told”
Allison becomes a human lie detector after dreaming about a game show; one of Joe’s former co-workers accuses him of stealing.

Also playing…

• Dancing with the Stars 8pm on ABC | Celebrities compete with their professional dance partners.

• Two and a Half Men | 9pm on CBS: Chelsea finds pictures of a naked woman on Charlie’s phone.

• Roommates | 9pm on ABC Family: A reader of tarot cards tells Katie she has already met the man of her dreams.

• Sophie | 9:30pm on ABC Family: Sophie tries to keep the birth a secret from her ex-boyfriend.

• Rules of Engagement | 9:30pm on CBS: Jeff and Audrey lie to get out of going to a party that Jennifer and Adam are hosting; Russell ticks off Jerry Rice.

• CSI: Miami | 10pm on CBS: When Ryan is kidnapped, he is forced to betray Horatio and the team.

Certainly a lot to choose from. Share YOUR Monday night TV lineup in the comments below.

In case you are wondering, here’s how I’m tackling the 8pm juggernaut.

• 8-9pm: Chuck – DVR #1
• 9-9:30pm: Big Bang Theory – DVR #1
• 9:30-10pm: How I Met Your Mother – DVR #1
• 10-11pm: Gossip Girl – DVR #2
• 11-12pm: House – DVR #2
• Castle: Tuesday morning
• Greek – lucked out this week since I’ve already seen it, but next week…ugh, it might have to be an iTunes purchase on Tuesday mornings.  So unfair!

THE AMAZING RACE: Gorilla? Gorilla? Gorilla?

It was a bittersweet night for me and THE AMAZING RACE. The episode itself was high energy mixed with a lot of fun as the teams found themselves racing through Phuket, Thailand. But alas my favorite team, Mel & Mike, went home and the wind taken out of my sails a bit. Fear not, my #2 team just got a bump up in my heart and I’ll be recovered in time for next week’s race around the world.

The bad luck for Mel and Mike started when they chose the wrong taxi on their way to grab the first clue.  Armed only with a picture of a mechanical gorilla, their taxi driver assured them that the gorilla could be found on the beach. Despite all the other teams going to Phuket Zoo, Mel & Mike followed the advice of the cabbie and wasted a lot of time going in the wrong direction.

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More OFFICE, More Often

Passing on this news from Variety:

NBC U has announced that offnet syndie rights to “The Office” have now been sold to stations covering 93% of the country, with all of the 50 top markets now secured.

Set to launch in offnet in the fall, “The Office” will run on Fox stations in top markets including New York, L.A. and Chicago.

Repeats of the NBC Thursday-night laffer are already running on TBS as part of a previously arranged cable deal.

According to THR, Fox stations will carry “Office” in the top markets of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Washington, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando, Baltimore and Memphis, Tenn. CBS-owned stations will air the show in Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, Miami and Pittsburgh.

So it looks like we’ll be able to indulge in more episodes of THE OFFICE more often. Congrats!

Jim Gaffigan: King Baby | 9pm on Comedy Central

MY BOYS star and stand up comedian Jim Gaffigan takes to the stage in his latest special. In it, he makes fun of himself and talks about bowling, laziness, camping, bacon, recycling, ketchup, regional food, and the Bible.

Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Sunday, March 29, 2009

Settle in kids because we’ve got a special night of TV for you –  a cornucopia of television treats if you will  Unless you’ve got two DVRs there are some tough choice to be made tonight.  I’m hoping all of you give KINGS another go around tonight – it prompted some great discussions here on GMMR.  As always there’s THE AMAZING RACE – a Sunday staple.  I’m really excited about THE NO.1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY premiering on HBO tonight. And then there’s Mr. Hot Pocket himself, Jim Gaffigan, back with another stand up special.

See, a great night for TV…I wasn’t lying.

Kings | 8pm on NBC
“First Night”
King Silas’ secret family is threatened by a medical crisis; Jack and Rose try to tarnish David’s heroic public image.

The Amazing Race | 8pm on CBS
“Gorilla? Gorilla? Gorilla?”
A shopkeeper hinders the movements of one racing team; another team learns the hard way that a quick pace does not always lead to victory when mistakes result in penalties

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency | 8pm & 10pm on HBO | 2-Hour Series Premiere
Precious Ramotswe launches Botswana’s first female-run detective agency; Precious investigates cases including a missing boy, a missing finger and a cheating husband. [GMMR: I haven’t had a chance to see this new HBO show yet but I’m very excited about it. I wish it weren’t up against so many other big shows on Sunday night. This schedule is tough. But if you have HBO definitely check out this show!]

The Simpson | 8pm on Fox
“Wedding for Disaster”
After learning that their marriage is invalid, Homer asks Marge to re-take their vows, but he mysteriously disappears before the wedding.

Family Guy | 9pm on Fox
“Not All Dogs Go to Heaven”
The Griffin family heads to the annual “Star Trek” convention, but Stewie, angry when he can’t ask his favorite cast members a question, builds his own transporter and beams the cast to his bedroom.

Jim Gaffigan: King Baby | 9pm on Comedy Central | Special
MY BOYS star and stand up comedian Jim Gaffigan takes to the stage in his latest special. In it, he makes fun of himself and talks about bowling, laziness, camping, bacon, recycling, ketchup, regional food, and the Bible. [GMMR: If you’ve never seen a Jim Gaffigan standup special then you must check out “King Baby” tonight. Gaffigan is hysterical! Go YouTube some of his older stuff today and you’ll love it. ]

United States of Tara | 10pm on Showtime
“Snow”
Tara checks into an in-patient clinic that specializes in her disorder. She is treated by an engaging expert who encourages her to dredge up lost memories. Max is reticent to join a support group for mates at the facility. [GMMR: For more on this show, visit Tori’s blog: http://usoftara.blogspot.com/.]

Also playing…

• Extreme Makeover: Home Edition| 8-10pm on ABC: The team improves the home of a family operating an animal sanctuary in California; the family takes a vacation to Costa Rica while the team does its work; actor Justin Chambers stops by to welcome the family to its new home.

• Cold Case | 9pm on CBS: New evidence prompts the team to re-examine the 1958 murder of a newlywed Ivy League grad (Johnathon Schaech) who led the charge for developing suburban communities with affordable housing outside Philadelphia.

• The Unit | 10pm on CBS: Bob is forced to run interference when the team’s plans go awry and Jonas and Mack are under cover, looking for the terrorists who killed the vice president.

• Breaking Bad | 10pm on AMC: Walt tries to reconnect with his family; Jesse struggles to rebuild his life.

What Sunday shows are YOU going to be watching tonight?

30 ROCK: Apollo, Apollo

“Hello, Dummy.” And with those two little words, my heart leaps. Think it’s a coincidence that this is the first undeniable A+ episode of the season? No way. Dean Winters’ Beeper King is the one guest star we simply cannot get enough of, at least once a year. But it wasn’t only Dennis Duffy’s return that vaulted this episode into the stratosphere; it was Tracy’s spaceman dream tying into Jack’s lost childhood tying into Liz’s softcore phone line past tying into her forgiveness for Jenna’s betrayal and vice versa. Because there is beauty, and then there is 30 ROCK beauty, and my friends, this was 30 ROCK BEAUTIFUL.

Dennis has always been Liz’s Achilles’ heel, the one boyfriend—unloved, unwanted—who keeps showing up again and again, this time to atone for his Web MD self-diagnosed sex addiction: “Former Sex Partner, I’m sorry that my disease has made you a victim of my sexual charisma. I’m sorry that I’ve ruined you for other men.” Doubtful, but still, it’s too bad he’s making the same apology to Jenna via Liz, who answers Jenna’s phone while Jenna is flying high on a Peter Pan rig. And that he would be the one boyfriend of Liz’s that Jenna would choose to sleep with confirms everything we already know about the Beeper King and our favorite oblivious C-grade celebrité; i.e., boobs galore. At the same time, their hookup neatly confirms the order of Liz’s priorities: it’s not the fact that they had sex together that bothers Liz the most, it’s the fact that they had sex in her bed, which is where she sometimes eats.

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Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Saturday, March 28, 2009

Tonight’s TV Spotlight shines brightly on some men that are just really easy on the eyes. How about that for a Saturday movie night theme? I know it’s a bit self indulgent but I’m a big ol baby when I’m sick and I think watching these guys might just make me feel better.

Shutter | 7pm on Cinemax
Following a terrible accident in Japan, a newlywed photographer and his wife see ghostly images in the pictures they develop. [GMMR: Ladies, here’s the one-two punch of Joshua Jackson and David Denman. You’re welcome.]

Monster-in-Law | 7pm on TBS
A woman fights back when her fiance’s shrewish mother tries to destroy their relationship. [GMMR: Perhaps not the best movie every made, but it does allow us for two hours of Michael Vartan. That’s hard to turn down. Agreed?]

Juno | 8pm on HBO Signature
A funny and sweet movie that looks at the life of Juno, an independent-minded teenager confronting an unplanned pregnancy and the subsequent events that put pressures of adult life onto her. [GMMR: Sorry, we’re not talking Michael Cera here.  This one is all about Jason Bateman. Gotta love The Bateman.]

Moulin Rouge | 8pm on IFC
In 1890s France a courtesan falls in love with a young writer but strings along a duke who can finance improvements to the night spot. [GMMR: Not only is this movie one of my all time favorites, it also introduced me to the hotness of a singing Ewan McGregor. Damn.]

The Notebook | 8pm & 10:30pm on Oxygen
A man tells a story to a woman about two young people who become lovers in 1940s North Carolina. Based on a book by Nicholas Sparks. [GMMR: I had a cush on Ryan Gosling during his Mickey Mouse Club days, but he was just dreamy as Noah in ‘The Notebook’]

Ocean’s Thirteen | 10:30pm on HBO
When senior Ocean member Reuben Tishkoff gets double crossed by the scheming Willie Bank, the Ocean team decide it is time to get even, but this time, with the help of an old enemy. [GMMR: This movie hits the hot guy jackpot with Clooney, Damon and Pitt.]

Just a few of my fine choice for tonight.  Any of these interest you?

The Notebook | 8pm & 10:30pm on Oxygen

A man tells a story to a woman about two young people who become lovers in 1940s North Carolina. Based on a book by Nicholas Sparks.

Moulin Rouge | 8pm on IFC

In 1890s France a courtesan falls in love with a young writer but strings along a duke who can finance improvements to the night spot. 

Monster-in-Law | 7pm on TBS

A woman fights back when her fiance’s shrewish mother tries to destroy their relationship and interferes with their wedding planning.

THE OFFICE: Two Weeks

It’s good to have friends…

A very special thanks to Erik who was kind enough to step in and handle the review of this week’s episode of THE OFFICE. You know it just about killed me to turn the weekly review of my favorite show over to someone else, but honestly, I’m fighting a miserable cold and just couldn’t do it.  So for this week, Erik is going to take care of my Dunder Mifflinites while I get better.

Hey, there’s a good chance you’re going to like Erik’s reviews more than mine. If so, don’t tell me.  I couldn’t take it.  Ha ha

Thanks Erik…over to you.

———————————————————————–

Over the past three weeks, Michael Scott’s career at Dunder Mifflin imploded through a series of heartbreaking and emasculating confrontations. True to their purpose, the Office team avoided the detour into melodrama that often hinders sitcoms that touch on real life tragedy or adversity. Lost in the barrage of hilarious moments was the emotional net that tethered Michael to his longtime staff, particularly a receptionist who dares to dream of bigger things. Fittingly, it was the lack of outrage or sadness over Michael’s imminent departure that made Pam’s defection such a powerful jolt to the senses. With rejections piling up left and right on his quest to staff his new paper company, Michael Scott discovered that, at least in one case, his leadership approach was as inspirational as he had imagined.

Unlike Jerry Maguire, Michael Scott never wavered in his belief in people over process, cordiality over technology. We will never uncover a twenty-five page mission statement about relationships from Michael, because he lacks the attention span necessary to read or write such a document. To anyone who would accuse the Office writers of lifting a page from Cameron Crowe’s playbook, I would argue that Michael Scott is a far more lovable hero than a sports agent who immediately questions the wisdom of sharing his deepest thoughts, and behaves like a four year old when the corporate world rejects his approach. Tom Cruise did not bring an optimist to the big screen. He brought a narcissist. Michael Scott is a deeply co-dependent man, and the leap of faith that Pam Beesly took in joining his fragile new venture brought him the type of confidence that Renee Zellweger could never have engendered.

Before I jump off the deep end and omit the comedy gold that brings us to Dunder Mifflin every Thursday, here are my favorite funny moments of “Two Weeks Notice.”

• Cold Open: Michael’s inability to tell a story was the easy way to go, but I was on the floor listening to Oscar’s talking head. His struggle to form another syllable at the end of that rant? Fantastic, just fantastic…

• Pam and Kevin’s exchange over the meaning of “soon”

• “It’s monster.com. Singular.”

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BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: The Final Cast Read Through (Video)

No BATTLESTAR GALACTICA tonight…or ever. But if you’re going through withdrawal you should enjoy this amazing video of the final cast read through of the final episode. I haven’t had a chance to see but a few minutes of it, but I knew I couldn’t watch it in the office because (a) I don’t think my boss would approve and (b) I knew I would get way too emotional watching.

Watch and share your thought below. So say we all!

Thanks to Nicole form Team GMMR for the tip!

SUPERNATURAL: It’s a Terrible Life

Oh Dean, it’s so true when you think about it. How can you be sad about your life when it’s your destiny to save the world and while doing it you get to drive a classic car and fornicate with women? The newest angel added to the show, Castiel’s boss Zachariah who is much less scary than “angel gone bad” Uriel, contrived quite the amusing life lesson for Dean in what I thought was a fantastic way to bring his focus back to the stakes at hand. While it was very realistic in the last episode that Dean felt beaten and unable to perform the huge task presented to him, of course he’d have to conquer that feeling at some point in order for the story to move forward. And what a way to do it! Not to mention that it felt great to watch Sam and Dean working together like old times, with none of the angst that’s been growing over the season.

Dean Smith was a rice milk latte drinking, NPR listening, Project Runway watching corporate bigwig and he was so fun to watch. And he did look very snazzy in his fancy suits. I was smiling from the moment I heard the opening notes of The Kinks “Well Respected Man” and we saw Dean rising at the crack of dawn and beginning his very healthy, very proper day. Sam was pretty much the same Sam we’ve come to know and love, although he also had a different identity, Sam Wesson (Smith and Wesson – cute), worked with Dean at the Sandover Bridge & Iron Company and also had virtually no memory of his past life or his brother. I loved the first awkward meeting between the two in the elevator – Dean thinking Sam was hitting on him was fun, despite the cliché. Sam, try looking less like a stalker next time you want to befriend someone, kay? And Dean’s right – you’re a bit of an over-sharer.

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SMALLVILLE: Hex

Chloe’s back! How good did the end of tonight’s Smallville episode feel when everything clicked back into place! This season has been great but there was still a few things missing, for me anyways. Now with Chloe back to her old computer whiz tricks and Lois and Clark back on the road to lover’s lane things are starting to heat up! And it’s all thanks to Zatanna and her magic tricks. It seems her visit to Metropolis to collect a family heirloom has left the Smallville gang with some clarity. Love stories are my favorite but when most of the characters are sitting comfortable in their relationship and there is no solo drama I get bored. Yes, Lois and Clark aren’t an official couple but they seem to be stuck in this back and forth rut and this series needs some action, besides the flying and heat vision.

Lets face it they needed something to wake them up especially when they all decide to ditch a newly single Chloe on her birthday. With Clark on a mission, Lois on her way to Mexico and Oliver running for the door, Chloe is definitely thinking the grass is greener on the other side. She wants what Lois has; a press pass and a life in the fast lane as a Daily Planet reporter. Now with Jimmy gone she feels like a failure and unknowingly is granted a wish by the sexy, fishnet wearing Zatanna. The next day when she wakes up she’s Lois. After checking in with the real Lois, Chloe decides to go to the Daily Planet where she researches Zatanna. Clark is there and has no idea that his sidekick is actually Chloe. The two discuss Chloe and Jimmy’s break-up.

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Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Friday, March 27, 2009

Yikes! My first Friday Spotlight without BSG. It feels strange, wrong, sad. If you missed our BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Series Final Recap, make sure you listen in and let us know what you think.

I suppose it’s time to move on. There’s other great shows on Friday to check out including my very favorite drama, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. I’m a little hesitant to evene write this but many sources are saying that the announcement about a two-season pickup for FNL is coming any day now. Cross everything you’ve got. This needs to happen.

Starz or have Starz Instant Play on Netflix

And now on to the highlights of tonight’s TV.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | 8pm on Fox
“To the Lighthouse”
Sarah, fearing for her life, hides John in a safe house with the only person she feels she can trust (Dean Winters); Cameron and Derek struggle to work together after she reveals a big secret.

Friday Night Lights | 9pm on NBC
“A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall”
Saracen’s grandmother’s mental health rapidly deteriorates; Lyla learns that she has been accepted to her dream college; tensions between Joe and J.D. escalate.

Dollhouse | 9pm on Fox
“Echoes”
Echo returns to school when a college campus is threatened by the outbreak of a deadly virus. At the same time, parts of her previous life are brought into focus. [GMMR: Let’s see if tonight’s episode builds on last week’s turn around.]

Head Case | 10pm on Starz
“Talk to the List”
Dr. Goode and her wedding planner butt heads; Jeremy wants to see the guest list; Larry Miller and Marc Cherry air out their problems.

Party Down | 10:30pm on Starz
“California College Conservative Union Caucus”
The team works a conservative caucus where Arnold Schwarzenegger is the guest speaker; Ron offends Constance; Casey longs for Vermont. [GMMR: VERONICA MARS alums Jason Dohring and Alona Tal guest. Check out some sneak peek vids here.]

What will YOU be watching?

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