Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Did you survive last night?  It was a doozy!  We’ll be talking more in depth about last night’s shows today, so keep checking back.  But that was then and this is now.  And I don’t know about you, but “now” is a little more bearable. Well, at least for me.

It’s a big night over on CBS with many new premieres. If you’re into procedurals then it’s an exciting night for you. If you listened to our CBS Fall Preview podcast then you know Dan and I were pleasantly surprised by THE GOOD WIFE.  Both of us liked it more than we thought, and it’s been added (at least for now) to my Fall TV schedule.

ABC has the premiere of the new Christian Slater drama, the forgotten (and yes, they write it with all lower case letters.  How very HawthoRNe and Numb3rs of them.)  I haven’t seen THE FORGOTTEN yet (I’m a rebel) as the pilot was completely reshot and it was just made available last week.

I’m a week behind on MELROSE PLACE but I’m going to try to catch up to see if I’m still digging the show.  Are you?

Here’s a look at the Fall TV schedule for Fall. Check the list under the chart for Fall premiere dates.

The Biggest Loser | 8pm on NBC
“Episode 2
The contestants learn they can stay at the ranch for another week if they lose a certain amount of weight; chef Curtis Stone helps the contestants make healthier food choices.

90210 | 8pm on The CW
“Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat
Harry shares his family problems with Kelly; sparks fly when Dixon meets his dream girl; Liam works on a mysterious project; the gang spends an afternoon with Teddy on his father’s yacht.

NCIS | 8pm on CBS | Season Premiere
“Truth or Consequences”
With the weight of the past on their minds, Gibbs and the team go back to work, with DiNozzo and McGee beginning a search for Ziva’s replacement.

NCIS: Los Angeles | 9pm on CBS | Series Premiere
“Identity”
Four months after being shot, Agent Callen returns to the Office of Special Projects and joins the Los Angeles team on a kidnapping case.

Melrose Place | 9pm on The CW
“Grand”
After a fight with Jonah, Riley turns to Auggie for comfort; Caleb is furious with Ella when her director bails on a job; David makes an accusation; Violet makes moves on Auggie.

Warehouse 13 | 9pm on Syfy | Season Finale
“MacPherson”
The team discovers that MacPherson is auctioning artifacts he has siphoned from the Warehouse shelves. [GMMR: Did you check out our One-on-One with WAREHOUSE 13’s Eddie McClintock?]

The Good Wife | 10pm on CBS | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
Humiliated by her politician husband’s scandal, Alicia Florrick musters her resilience and returns to work as a defense attorney, getting the case of a woman accused of murdering her ex-husband.

The Forgotten | 10pm on ABC | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
Alex Donovan leads the Forgotten Network, diverse civilians, to identify “Highway Jane,” a young victim whose corpse was left in a woods.

Sons of Anarchy | 10pm on FX
“Fix”
The League takes bold new steps in the quest to undermine Samcro, forcing the club to take explosive measures; Clay and Gemma struggle to communicate; Tara receives a crash course in how to lay claim to her man.

Also Playing…

• Hell’s Kitchen | 8pm on Fox: The chefs create three unique dishes using 15 ingredients; Sasha Cohen and Jonny Moseley serve as guest judges; the chefs participate in a Taste It, Make It challenge; Gordon walks out of the kitchen during the dinner service.

• Dancing with the Stars| 9pm on Fox: The second night of the premiere shines the spotlight on the female dancers this season.

• Flipping Out | 10pm on Bravo: Jeff turns to his father for advice after he learns some disturbing information about Ryan.

On the late night couch…

• The Late Show with David Letterman: Former President Bill Clinton, LeBron James
• The Jay Leno Show: Pee Wee Herman, Amy Poehler
• The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien: Rebecca Romijn, Lisa Lampanelli, Monsters of Folk
• The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson:Reba McEntire, Dave Annable
• Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: Seth Meyers, Chris Paul
• Jimmy Kimmel Live: David Duchovny, Carmelo Anthony, Kid Cudi
• Chelsea Lately:Mark Curry, Brad Wollack, Arden Myrin
• Last Call with Carson Daly: Stan Lee, Mat Kerney
• The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: Vali Nasr
• The Colbert Report: Shai Agassi

What will YOU be watching? Leave a comment or send me an update on Twitter.

Heather Locklear Returns to MELROSE PLACE

It’s official. Heather Locklear will reprise her role as scheming vixen Amanda Woodward of MELROSE PLACE. Locklear will make her debut appearance on the show Tuesday, November 17.

“We’re ecstatic to have the chance to bring Amanda Woodward back to ‘Melrose Place,’” said executive producers Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer. “Heather’s involvement in the show is something we’ve been working on for some time as we couldn’t imagine creating and producing this show without the iconic character’s inclusion.”

Locklear is one of many original MELROSE PLACE alums appearing this season on the updated version of the show.  She’s joined by Laura Leighton (Sydney), Thomas Calabro (Michael), Josie Bisset (Jane), and Daphne Zuniga (Jo).  Rumor has it that Grant Shot may be returning but no official announcement has been made yet.

Are you excited for the return of Locklear as Amanda?  Does the show need her?

GLEE Picked Up for Full Season

We’re just waiting on the “official” press release from FOX, but it looks like It’s official – GLEE has just received the order for the back 9 episode.  With the 13-episode pick up they’ve already received, it’s official that GLEE will get a full season on FOX.

“The response we’ve received to GLEE has been remarkable,” said Reilly. “It’s already got the makings of a cultural phenomenon. I’ve seen all 13 episodes, and Ryan Murphy, his team and the talented GLEE cast have knocked our socks off with their incredible work. We’re happy to pick up this gem of a show, and can’t wait to see what they’ll do with the rest of the season.”

“It’s fantastic to be the first show picked up and that this underdog series, like its characters, will get the chance to keep singing,” said series co-creator/executive producer Ryan Murphy. “There are so many more stories to tell. We’re grateful for the incredible passion shown by everyone involved – the unbelievable fans, the cast, crew, our partners at the network and studio and even music artists and labels.”

After the ratings they pulled in during their first two new episode of the season, I can’t say this news is a shock, but it’s certainly a very welcome surprise.  Congrats to the cast and creative team behind GLEE on this well deserved news.

Not starting any rumors here, but I was standing right with Joss Whedon and GLEE star Cory Monteith when Joss talked about wanting to direct an episode if they got the back 9.  It happened, now it’s just time for Joss to sign on the bottom line.  The man does know a thing or two about directing a musical.

If you haven’t yet given GLEE a shot, please make time to tune in this Wednesday at 9/8c for “Preggers“. It’s the best episode to date and it will have you singing and dancing for days.  It’s a perfect example of this uniquely uplifting and sassy show.

Ring on it on three.

One-on-One with WAREHOUSE 13’s Eddie McClintock

Hey GMMR fans. Your old pal Seels recently had the opportunity to chat with the one and only Eddie McClintock, star of SyFy’s original series WAREHOUSE 13. In this GiveMeMyRemote.com exclusive Eddie talked to us about where he’d like to take Pete in Season two, a little about tomorrow night’s season finale, and his hopes for next season.

Since season one was completed before the writers knew about season two, have you had any discussions on where you’d like Pete to go? Now that the writers can take their time a bit, what type of character development is in store for Pete, and do you have any hand in that?

Eddie: Um, yeah, I do have input. I’ve been invited to say whatever I feel in regards to the character. I thought they did such a great job, that I don’t know if I really need to add much to it. I’ll kind of let them do their jobs, and Jack Kenny (executive producer) runs such a great efficient writers’ room that I feel like I don’t really have to say much. But I want to make sure that Pete stays…I tend to really kind of go for the joke a lot. Like even if something isn’t necessarily written in the script to be funny, I’ll always try and find something funny in it. I feel as I’ve watched some of the episodes, I feel like maybe…and Jack will probably kill me for saying this, but I feel personally, that maybe my performances at moments felt pushed to me. So I want to make sure that Pete remains grounded and remains…I want him to seem competent at his job. I don’t want him to turn into just a silly character.

Right. He’s a top agent. That’s why he’s at the Warehouse to begin with.

Eddie: Exactly. Look, I love the fact that he’s funny, but I want the character to be spontaneously funny and not just a caricature. With that in mind, I will boldly go into Season Two.

So you’re basically getting a chance to self edit, based on the episodes, after they’ve all been shot.

Eddie: I know a lot of actors will say they don’t watch themselves, but I tend to watch every episode. The first time I watch it, I can’t think of anything except the ridiculous things. Once I get past that, then I can start breaking down the performance a little better, I can see the show for what it is, and so for me, watching the episodes is a good learning tool.

What is your favorite type of scene to do on WH13 – physical, serious, or funny?

Eddie: I guess what would be great would be to have a scene where I get to do all three, and for them to be well balanced. I love a well balanced scene, and that’s another thing I love about the show is that it can be really, really serious and then the next moment, it can be funny, and then it can be serious. I mean, that’s kind of how life is, you know?

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Emmys Opening Number with Neil Patrick Harris

Give Me My Remote. Put down that remote. It’s all the same. It all means you were foolish if you switched off the Emmys last night and missed Neil Patrick Harris’ opening musical number. But if you did miss it, or just want to watch it again, then here you go.

What did YOU think of Neil Patrick Harris as an Emmy host?

Kristin Chenoweth’s Emmy Win for PUSHING DAISES

One of my favorite moments of the entire evening was when Kristin Chenoweth took to the stage and tearfully accepted the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for her role as Olive Snook on PUSHING DAISIES.

As always Kristin was adorable and charming. I know I was in tears along with her.

PUSHING DAISIES was nominated four 5 Emmys this year and walked away with four of them. Not bad for a show that ABC canceled.

Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Monday, September 21, 2009

Annnnnd we’re here. Tonight is the Monday we’ve all been waiting for…or dreading.  With the exception of a very few, almost all of the Monday night shows are back.  As you’ll see from our handy chart below, you’ve got to choose wisely or else miss out on some great television.

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and THE BIG BANG THEORY, two of my personal faves, return to CBS tonight along with TWO AND A HALF MEN and the premiere of Jenna Elfman in ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE.

I think you know by now that DANCING WITH THE STARS isn’t my thing, but with the ratings it pulls in, it clearly is the thing for many. I’m going to give CASTLE another shot this year.  I wasn’t completely enamored last season, but I do love some Nathan Fillion, so I’ll give it another shot.

Many, many other shows to choose from so be sure to take a look at the episode descriptions below, as well as my notes, to help you decide what to watch.

For me, the best season premiere of them all is HOUSE.  I’ve already had a chance to see it, but I’m going to watch it again tonight because it’s that good.  It’s not a typical episode, so clear out all expectations (other than a brief cameo by Robert Seann Leonard, none of the cast is even in the episode). But if you enjoy the genius acting of Hugh Laurie then you’re going to really dig tonight’s episode.  And I’m going to dig watching Hugh walk away with the Emmy next year.

Ok enough already, time to check out tonight’s TV lineup.

How I Met Your Mother | 8pm on CBS | Season Premiere
“Definitions”
Lily forces Barney and Robin to face their fears about defining their relationship; Ted is anxious about his first lecture at Columbia.

House | 8pm on FOX | 2-hour Season Premiere
“Broken”
House goes through detox, hoping to stop the hallucinations that tormented him; Dr. Nolan (Andre Braugher) refuses to sign the paperwork to reinstate House’s license unless House participates in his own mental recovery.

Dancing with the Stars | 8pm on ABC | 2-hour Season Premiere
The ninth-season opener begins with 16 celebrities, the show’s largest cast ever. Competitors include Donny Osmond, Melissa Joan Hart, Michael Irvin and Chuck Liddell. On the first night of competition, the male celebrities perform.

Heroes | 8pm on NBC | 2-hour Season Premiere
“Orientation; Jump, Push, Fall”
A mysterious death pushes Claire into the spotlight; Angela worries that Nathan will discover his true identity; an unexpected visitor haunts Matt; H.R.G. and Tracy join forces.

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EMMY Awards LIVE Chat Tonight…Join Us

Break out the tuxes. Get your cocktail dresses on. Start passing the hors d’oeuvres (just don’t drop anything on your keyboard). It’s Emmy night!

The best that TV has to offer will be honored as Neil Patrick Harris hosts the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.  With NPH at the helm, I have never been more excited for the Emmys. It’s going to be a great night!

Join us at 8/7c as we chat LIVE during tonight’s Emmy broadcast.  Be sure to use the tool below to set yourself a reminder (you’ll also be notified if we start the party a little early tonight.)

I hope you can join us!

EMMY Red Carpet Photos

Before NPH kicks things off and the awards are give away, the stars first need to walk the red carpet.  It’s one of fashion’s biggest nights.  Who will be wearing what? Who will be the fashion hits and misses? It’s almost as fun as the awards themselves.

I’ll be doing my best to bring you shots from the red carpet from just as the stars arrive. Keep checking back for more pics as I’ll be updating all the time.  And be sure to be GMMR’s fashion police as the comments are open!

My Emmy Winners Wish List

With so many of my favorite actors and actresses from the small screen, it’s hard to pick just one favorite in each category for tonight’s Emmy Awards. But I’m going to. I’ll be brave and put it out there. Here are MY picks in each of the major categories tonight.

This doesn’t indicate who I think will win, but who I would be thrilled to my toes, as a fan of television, to see walk away with the award tonight.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

• Big Love
• Breaking Bad
• Damages
• Dexter
• House
• Lost
• Mad Men

Defending my choice: Assuming it’s a stellar season, Emmy voters are going to honor LOST next year, after the series has ended.  While Hugh Laurie had an exceptional year, HOUSE wasn’t as breakthrough as the other series.  The real competition to MAD MEN is DAMAGES, but I’m hoping the Emmy voters looked past the big screen names and realize that this season of DAMAGES didn’t hold a candle to their inaugural season.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

• Entourage
• Family Guy
• Flight of the Conchords
• How I Met Your Mother
• The Office
• 30 Rock
• Weeds

Defending my choice: You think I’m going to bet against my favorite show?  Of course I want THE OFFICE to win?  Do I think it will?  No way. I think 30 ROCK is going to take it.  But THE OFFICE is still THE OFFICE and it would thrill me to see the show take home the big award.  If THE OFFICE doesn’t win, please please please let it be HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER!

LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

• Julia Louise Dreyfuss (The New Adventures of Old Christine)
• Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?)
• Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Show)
• Tina Fey (30 Rock)
• Toni Collette (The United States of Tara)
• Mary Louise Parker (Weeds)

Defending my choice: A tough category, no doubt, but I think it’s all about Tina.  Toni Collette took on a huge role in THE UNITED STATES OF TARA, but I would have liked to see her in the Drama category because that’s where her chops really came into play.

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Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Sunday, September 20, 2009

It’s another Sunday night where you can’t dare say there’s just nothing to watch.  The Emmys alone should be enough to keep you busy, but it TV award shows just aren’t your thing, there’s always HBO’s killer line-up. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM is back for a new season, and BORED TO DEATH starring Jason Schwartzman premieres tonight.

The final three crews perform and the two crews moving on to next week’s finale go head-to-head in the penultimate episode of AMERICA’S BEST DANCE CREW.  I was in the audience for the taping this week so I can’t wait to see how it all came together for TV.

61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 8pm on CBS
Ceremonies at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles honor excellence in TV programming; Neil Patrick Harris hosts; Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff, Sarah McLachlan, Dean Parks and Ray Parker Jr. are scheduled to perform. [GMMR: I hope you’ll join us here on GMMR at 8pm EST for a LIVE Emmys chat! Stay tuned for the official post.]

Drop Dead Diva | 9pm on Lifetime
“Make Me a Match”
Jane sues a matchmaking service for fraud; Grayson and Kim are on a case with two dueling psychic sisters.

America’s Best Dance Crew | 9pm on MTV
“Decades of Dance Challenge”
The three remaining crews take on some of the biggest dance crazes in history as they battle for the two slots in next week’s live finale.  The final two crews go head-to-head one last time for the winning votes. [GMMR: Ducky and I were in the audience for the taping of this week’s episode.  We can’t say too much as we were sworn to secrecy, but we do know who is in the finale. We saw the final dances and they are on fire!]

Curb Your Enthusiasm | 9pm on HBO | Season Premiere
“Funkhouser’s Crazy Sister”
Larry attempts a pre-emptive breakup with ailing Loretta; Larry and Jeff learn not to make an empty gesture to a Funkhouser.

Bored to Death | 9:30pm on HBO | Series Premiere
“Stockholm Syndrome”
After his girlfriend moves out, writer Jonathan Ames places an ad offering his services as an unlicensed private detective.

Mad Men | 10pm on AMC
“Guy Walks into an Advertising Agency”
A surprise visitor shows up at Sterling Cooper; Sally gets spooked by something (or someone); and Joan is the recipient of some surprising news.

Entourage | 10:30pm on HBO
“Berried Alive”
Drama hopes to get a new part; Ari is irate over Lloyd’s job offer; Ashley asks Eric if she can read his e-mails; Turtle feels guilty about his love triangle.

Army Wives | 10pm on Lifetime
“As Time Goes By”
Roxy and Pamela meet two older army wives in a nursing home and get a glimpse into Fort Marshall’s past.

Scripted TV. Reality shows. The Emmys.  What will YOU be watching tonight?

Bored to Death | 9:30pm on HBO

Series Premiere: After his girlfriend moves out, writer Jonathan Ames places an ad offering his services as an unlicensed private detective.

Emmy Awards | 8pm on CBS

Ceremonies at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles honor excellence in TV programming; Neil Patrick Harris hosts; Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff, Sarah McLachlan, Dean Parks and Ray Parker Jr. are scheduled to perform. Join us for our live EMMYS chat tonight at 8pm here on GMMR.

PARKS & RECREATION: Pawnee Zoo

Though its sophomore campaign launched with considerably less fanfare than Jay Leno’s new 10pm experiment, the creative forces behind Parks & Recreation scored a huge win last night. In a time slot surrounded by comedic heavyweights, the Pawnee crew produced the funniest half hour of NBC’s Thursday premiere lineup.

During its abbreviated run last Spring, P&R produced a solid, if unspectacular, collection of episodes that focused on Leslie Knope’s daunting struggle to fill a gigantic pit. Many of the show’s early scripts were predicated on that plot point, and each cast member’s ability to flex their comedic muscles were limited. Most importantly, Amy Poehler’s gifts for killer one-liners and infectious silliness were given second billing, just behind a vast hole in the middle of Pawnee, Indiana.

The writers of P&R clearly spent their hiatus mapping out a tighter, funnier program that would consistently deliver the funny. “Pawnee Zoo” was loaded with pithy one-liners, ready to be Tweeted and Retweeted in the days to come.

Season Two’s maiden voyage began with a stroke of genius. Capitalizing on the lead-in audience watching Amy Poehler co-anchor “Weekend Update: Thursday Edition,” the cold open featured Leslie’s impromptu rendition of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” a not-so-subtle reminder of Poehler’s frenzied Sarah Palin rap during the 2008 Presidential Campaign. If fans of P&R needed a sign that this season would be focused on laughs, we were immediately hit with a dose of giggles and guffaws.

The Deputy Director’s team bolstered their boss’ efforts this week, as both Tom & April chose to support Leslie, rather than adopt Season One’s theme of condescension and insubordination.

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SUPERNATURAL: Good God, Y’all

[NOTE: Before I hand this week’s review of SUPERNATURAL over to Nicole, I just wanted everyone to know that I’ve been making good progress on Project Supernatural. I’m half way through S4 and I’ll be caught up and talking S5 with you all in no time. Oh, and I got a super duper exclusive sneak peek at a scene from episode four of this season, and WOW…just WOW! — Kath]

So….two for two, right?? This season is killer so far! I know that we all ended last night’s episode with a major case of the sads, but before I get to the final scene, we first have to go through what led up to that moment. Let’s get right into it:

Bobby…
I was surprised to see that Bobby has such a serious injury that he may not recover from anytime soon. I don’t seek out spoilers, so maybe this was already known to some people, but I had assumed that when Cas demanded that Zach fix the boys last week, he would also be fixing Bobby. And Bobby’s not just hurt; he’s seemingly paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. Bobby, being Bobby, is not in the mood to talk unless it’s to demand that Cas heal him as soon as the angel joins them at the hospital. Since Cas no longer has the powers he once had, he can’t heal Bobby, which doesn’t go over well with the older hunter. I wanted to cry seeing big, strong, Bobby sitting in his chair, just staring out the window. They can’t leave him like this, can they? Not when the Apolcalypse is coming! Those Winchester idjits are going to need his help.

Castiel…
Cas locates the boys at the hospital via cell phone, since his protection symbols hide them from his radar as well. Speaking of protection symbols, Cas was NOT joking when he said he carved them into the boys’ ribs – holy hell! No wonder the doctors were baffled when Dean got an x-ray to see what was what – his ribs looked like something you’d find in a really, REALLY ancient tomb (and it was pretty damn cool).

Our favourite angel was only in the episode briefly, but wow. I have always liked Cas, but I LOVE where they’re going with him this season. He’s getting funnier, and more importantly, ballsier. Hence his conversation with Dean about going to find God (incidentally, according to Cas, it was the almighty who brought him back and also put the boys on the plane last week). First, he comes up with the zinger of the night when Dean jokingly tells him he thinks God is appearing on a tortilla in New Mexico. Cas pauses, considers this possibility, and says, “No, he’s not on any flatbread”. I died. If I’m not mistaken, it was taking a lot for Misha and Jensen to hold it together during that little scene too – they both looked like they were trying not to smile.

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