HOUSE: Private Lives

This year’s Academy Awards featured a marquee match up between real-life ex-spouses Kathryn Bigelow and James Cameron. With a built-in “David vs. Goliath” storyline to attract casual viewers, the Oscars reached its crescendo as the Best Director nominees were announced. After weeks of hype, the inexplicable happened. Immediately after Ms. Bigelow was named the winner, the ABC cameras cut to a wide shot of the Kodak Theater. Did the former partners speak, embrace, or acknowledge one another? The audience was left without answers, because of an ill-timed decision by the show’s director.

Next year, the Academy might want to call on Sanford Bookstaver, director of this week’s House. With a resume that includes stints at the helm of “Jericho,” “Bones,” and “The O.C.,” the veteran director’s versatility meshed well with the team at Princeton Plainsboro. In an hour full of good humor, startling revelations, and pointed commentary about the nature of community, Bookstaver did not waste a single shot.

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Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Wednesday is the new Monday which is the new Thursday.  So many shows and so little room left on my DVR.

Check out some of the highlights of tonight’s TV schedule below and leave a comment to let me know what YOU are watching. Are you on Twitter? Let me know by messaging me @gmmrtv

Update...somehow I missed that SCRUBS was back with a new episode. I’m sure I’m not the only one that completely forgot about SCRUBS.

The New Adventures of Old Christine | 8pm on CBS
“Subway, Somehow”
Christine tries to teach Ritchie’s class some street smarts but ends up stranded at a subway station.

Gary Unmarried | 8:30pm on CBS
“Gary Tries to Find Something for Mitch”
When Mitch returns from overseas, Gary tries to help him decide what he will do for a living; Curtis and Charleen hire Allison as their wedding planner.

Mercy | 8pm on NBC
“I’m Fine”
Veronica rekindles her relationship with Dr. Sands; one of Sonia’s elderly patients makes a shocking announcement; Chloe and Briggs make a house call.

Human Target | 8pm on Fox
“Salvage & Reclamation”
Chance is reunited with an old flame when he goes to South America to rescue an archeologist being targeted by a deadly bounty hunter.

The Middle | 8:30pm on ABC
“The Break-Up”
Axl is heartbroken when his girlfriend (Alexa Vega) breaks up with him; Sue and Brick watch a scary movie.

Modern Family | 9pm on ABC
“Truth Be Told”
Phil invites his high school girlfriend (Judy Greer) to the house; Jay accidentally kills Manny’s pet turtle, then goes to extremes to cover his tracks; overworked Mitchell stands up to his boss.

American Idol | 9pm on NBC
“The Top 8 Guys Perform”
The Top 8 guys will compete for your votes. Which guys will compete for your vote? Andrew Garcia, Alex Lambert, Todrick Hall, Tim Urban, Lee Dewyze, Michael Lynche, Casey James, and Aaron Kelly.

Criminal Minds | 9pm on CBS
“Solitary Man”
In order to catch a truck driver who is kidnapping women, the team must figure out his motive.

(More of tonight’s lineup after the jump)

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AMERICAN IDOL Top 8 Girls Perform

It’s 5:20am on Wednesday morning and I’m just catching up on last night’s AMERICAN IDOL.  I’m fresh out of coffee so here’s to hoping that the Top 8 ladies bring something special to help me wake up. There is some serious talent this season but I’ve yet to see that breakthrough performance that really grabs my attention.  With all the singer/songwriter type of artists this season, I’m just hoping that moment comes.

Two minutes into last night’s live show and they’re already running behind? How does that happen? Ah, the pressure of the one hour performance show.  No pre-vids tonight, just straight to the performances.

Up first tonight….

Katie Stevens
Much like Haeley Vaughn, Katie is another girl who would have benefited from a year or two of experience before taking to the IDOL stage.  She has a nice voice, but there is this “choir” quality to it. She’s not a pop singer. Her voice isn’t nuanced enough.  Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway” is an amazing pop ballad, but there was no life or freshness to Katie’s version.  Bravo to the judges for giving her some quality feedback tonight.  The girl has been taking their notes and trying her best, but she doesn’t know who she is as an artist so her whole performance is based on doing what she thinks the judges want her to do rather than doing what feels organic to her.

Siobhan Magnus
This girl just keeps getting better and better.  What an instrument she has. The beginning of “House of the Rising Son” was haunting and rich. Starting off the song a capella was risky but it paid off well as it forced me to concentrate on nothing else but Siobhan’s voice. She demanded my attention.  This wasn’t a safe song by any stretch of the imagination. She showed depth, range and a real step forward as an artist. Do I see a place for Siobhan Magnus in the current music scene right now? I’m not sure. But I’m most definitely coming around on her. Three out the four judges agreed with me. Simon wasn’t really loving the performance.

Lacey Brown
Argh, I’m so bummed out! Lacey performed Brandi Carlile’s “The Story”, a song that was secretly hoping that Didi Benami would take on as it’s so well suited for Didi’s voice.  It was a decent enough song choice for Lacey. Despite the performance being a snoozefest, it was the best I think I’ve ever heard Lacey. She sang it well and it did represent her as an artist well. My problem is, she lacks charisma. She has zero star potential.  Her voice is unique and almost quirky, which means you have to have something more to bring to the table if you want to be an international musical superstar.

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