CBS Unveils THE TALK: Here’s Where They Went Wrong

CBS made waves in the daytime TV arena recently, announcing the fall debut of their own all-female panel show. Though THE TALK will not directly compete with THE VIEW, opting for the 2:00pm time slot to replace AS THE WORLD TURNS, the CBS brass is targeting viewers who invite Whoopi Goldberg & Elisabeth Hasselbeck into their homes each morning.

Casting is the most critical piece of constructing a successful daytime franchise. With TV audiences segmented more than ever before, CBS executives had to make a big splash in order to attract a wide audience for THE TALK. A combination of personalities who would take viewers away from soap operas, cooking shows, and Law & Order reruns simultaneously.

Who will greet us when THE TALK premieres this fall? Julie Chen, Sharon Osbourne, Sara Gilbert, Leah Remini, Holly Robinson Peete, and Marissa Jaret Winokur.

Uh oh…

That sound you did NOT just hear? It was your interest being piqued.
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TOP CHEF D.C.: Power Lunch & The Great Pea Puree Debate

Appetizer: Congressman Aaron Schock (R, Illinois) joined the contestants for a toothpick-centered Quickfire Challenge.  $20,000 for one bite of food is a nice payoff for the Top Chefs!  Did I really see Chicken & Waffles on one toothpick?  Andrea was very ambitious with that option.  Angelo banked another victory, using a cucumber cup that successfully lobbied the young politician.  The best part of this challenge was the simplicity of each dish.  Even though I have the taste buds of a nine year old, I would have tried any of the contestants’ toothpick samplers, and that makes for better TV.

First Round of Drinks:  Four pound lobsters are scary looking.  If the SyFy Network cannot parlay the visual of those creatures crawling around the kitchen into their next horror movie, I will be disappointed.  As a native of New England, I am ashamed to say that lobster has never been my favorite food.  Obviously, frequent diners at The Palm Restaurant disagree!

Entree: The stakes of the elimination challenge were enhanced by two factors.  First, The Palm is a household name in the restaurant industry, and the chefs were in awe of the opportunity to take over their kitchen.  Second, Ed & Tiffany’s burgeoning friendship lead to the first example of true teamwork this season.  After Ed’s pea puree was swiped by Alex, Tiffany was quick to calm her colleague down and suggest that he work with broccolini instead.

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THE WIRE Project: Season 1, Disc 5 (The End)

In THE WIRE’s sixth episode, Detective Lester Freamon reminded his colleagues that they were building a case against Avon Barksdale’s crew out of small pieces, “and all the pieces matter.” Those five words tell the audience everything they need to know about this once-in-a-lifetime program.

After five weeks of work on The Wire Project, I cannot decide what to do next. Do I dive directly into the Season Two DVDs that taunt me from my bookshelf? Or would it be wiser to watch all thirteen episodes of Season One again, in appreciation for the master craftsmanship of David Simon? Your feedback on this dilemma would be appreciated!

As in previous installments, I will kick start the conversation with my friend Heather’s help, as we react to the final two hours of the season. In the discussion thread that follows, I would love to read your thoughts about the series’ characters, storylines, and themes.

There will never a bad time to introduce yourself to this world, because The Wire is a sociological experiment that may never yield clear answers.

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PROJECT RUNWAY: Season 8 Prize Package Giveaway

Sport your best fashion on the beach this summer with a PROJECT RUNWAY Season 8 prizepack!

PROJECT RUNWAY returns to Lifetime for Season 8 on Thursday, July 29 at a new time: 9 pm et/pt, supersized into a 90-minute episode. Hosted by supermodel and fashion maven Heidi Klum, the hit series provides 17 talented designers – the most in series history – with an opportunity to launch their careers in fashion, under the watchful eye of mentor and Liz Claiborne Chief Creative Officer, Tim Gunn. Judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia weigh in on the best and worst of the runway.

To enter, leave a comment with your favorite moment in Project Runway history. It is hard to pick just one, so put your designer’s cap on and make it work!

One entry will be chosen at random to receive the stylish Prize Pack from Lifetime, and you must enter by 11:59pm on Thursday, July 29th to be eligible. So, after you enjoy the PROJECT RUNWAY Season 8 premiere, click over to GMMR for your chance to win!

Project Runway Prize Pack Includes:
• Beach Tote
• Beach Towel
• 32 oz Water Bottle
• Mister
• Keychain w/Charms
• Sunscreen

Thanks to Lifetime for providing this opportunity to GIVE ME MY REMOTE readers.

Follow GMMR and FreelanceErik on Twitter, and Facebook too, for all your up-to-the-minute TV news and commentary.

Stay up to date on all of GMMR’s exclusive videos by subscribing to our new YouTube Channel – GiveMeMyRemote TV

TOP CHEF D.C.: Cold War

My appetite has not matured since my childhood. Despite my preference for chicken fingers over chilean sea bass, however, I do appreciate the construction of entrees that foodies enjoy. TOP CHEF has been a DVR favorite of mine for the past two years, but my appetite for the show is waning. Padma & Tom are bringing their best efforts to Season Seven, but the contestants are as unappetizing as the proteins used in this week’s Quickfire Challenge.

After Season Six introduced America to distinctive characters like Kevin, Jen, and the Voltaggio brothers, my disappointment with this cast may simply be one of comparison. I want to root for someone to win each week, but I also appreciate a good antagonist, provided that person is respectful of their rivals. That is why I am souring on this season.

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PROJECT RUNWAY: Sneak Peek at Season 8 Premiere!

As we eagerly await the first tidbits of news from Comic-Con 2010, the folks at Lifetime are providing PROJECT RUNWAY fans with a sneak peek at next Thursday’s Season Premiere! For the first time, each episode will be a super-sized 90 minutes in length, giving fans of Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn more couture than ever before.

Here’s your advance look at Heidi & Tim meeting the contestants for the first time, along with a reveal of Season 8’s first challenge!

More information about this year’s contestants, along with backstage secrets, are available through Lifetime’s official Project Runway Blog.

Will you be watching this season? Which former contestants were your favorites? Are you excited about the new super-sized episodes? What parts of the show “make it work” for you? Are there segments that you wish would say “auf weidersehen?”

Follow GMMR and Erik on Twitter, and Facebook too, for all your up-to-the-minute TV news and commentary.

Stay up to date on all of GMMR’s exclusive videos by subscribing to our new YouTube Channel – GiveMeMyRemote TV

THE WIRE Project: Season 1, Disc 4

The finish line is approaching quickly. After this week, The Wire Project winds down with the final two episodes of the show’s inaugural season. As promised, the discussion threads for each week will be maintained all summer, so you are welcome to jump in at your convenience!

Quick note for DirecTV subscribers: Channel 101 just started broadcasting THE WIRE’s full 60 episode run, so feel free to jump onboard with a simple click of your remote control. The show can also be obtained on DVD via Netflix or through the iTunes Store. Summer’s not over yet, and there is plenty of time to join the conversation!

Here is the layman’s perspective on “Game Day,” “The Cost,” and “The Hunt.” As always, the less than keen analysis is offered by yours truly and my friend Heather, a skilled attorney by day and adult spelling bee virtuouso by night.
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THE WIRE Project: Season 1, Disc 3

Week 3 of The Wire Project brought Baltimore’s police closer to their targets in Avon Barksdale’s crew.  Utilizing their wiretaps, Lieutenant Daniels’ team gathered substantial evidence about the movement of drugs into the projects. The little details being assembled, however, unearthed pieces of their case that fit a larger, much more ominous puzzle.

On the other side of the law, D’ Angelo had to reassure Wallace that a life spent playing “The Game” was worth living.  A few blocks away, Avon & Stringer paused to consider the ramifications of Omar’s imminent retribution and Orlando’s extracurricular activities.

As the plot thickened, I reached out to my friend Heather for help.  With Green Tea on tap and my Wi-Fi connection at full strength, we tried to make sense of this complex batch of episodes.  Since The Wire Project is a group effort, please chime in with your thoughts and theories.  This show is a perfect example of why GIVE ME MY REMOTE exists, to foster conversations about TV’s best from a community of thoughtful readers.
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THE WIRE Project: Season 1, Disc 2

Welcome to Week 2 of The Wire Project. We are just scratching the surface of Baltimore’s grittiest cops and drug dealers. Alliances are forming, rivalries are building, and allegiances are being brought into question.

Early reactions from the GMMR community to Disc 1 were almost universally positive, with many noting Executive Producer David Simon’s attention to detail. To create a fictional world worth watching, Simon and his team took great pains to explain the agendas of each faction. Viewers are not hit over the head with a political philosophy. Instead, we are invited to form our own opinions about characters like Jimmy McNulty, D’ Angelo Barksdale, and Stringer Bell.

Heather & I got together via Barnes & Noble’s generous Wi-Fi policy to share our views on “Old Cases” & “The Pager.” By the way, if you have been interested in joining The Wire Project, but do not have access to the show’s DVD sets, GMMR reader “Makila” noted in last week’s discussion that The Wire is also available on iTunes. If you’re constantly on the move, or knee deep in iTunes gift cards, this could be your invitation to the fun!

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THE WIRE Project: Season 1, Disc 1

Welcome to The Wire Project. Over the next five weeks, I hope that the GMMR community will explore the streets of Baltimore in a unique way, enhancing the viewing experience for one another. My goal is to make this project feel like a book club, with insights and opinions expressed with civility and good humor.

Each week, I’ll spend a little time chatting with my friend Heather to kick start the conversation.  We’ll do our best to hit on the big themes and events of each week’s episodes.  This is a complex show, so your favorite storylines, characters, and scenes may be wildly different from ours.  That’s fantastic!   With your participation, this discussion will be ripe with new ideas all summer.

A quick favor to ask before we get rolling:  Since this is an interactive project, I would also welcome your feedback about how we introduce each group of episodes.  If you would like more emphasis on plot, characters, etc., please include those in the comments section.  We will do our best to make this satisfying for everyone.

Without further adieu, here is our take on Episodes 1.1 to 1.3.

TOP CHEF D.C.: Outside the Lunch Box

During this week’s Judges’ Table, I could have sworn that Celebrity Apprentice or Survivor had taken over the TOP CHEF time slot.  Insults were thrown, fireworks were lit, and we’re only in week two!

Let’s dive in to this week’s episode in three courses, shall we?

APPETIZER: The Biparti-Sandwich Challenge with White House Chef Sam Kass was an ideal warmup for this week’s Elimination Challenge. With an emphasis on health and tasty substitutions, the contestants were broken up into eight teams of two.

The twist, having to work with just one arm each, was a clever piece of production, eliciting humorous moments (such as Tracey’s eagerness to embrace Angelo) and flat out discomfort (“Please don’t cut me!”).  By winning his third challenge in three tries, Angelo and partner Tracey gained a huge strategic advantage for the next event.

First Round of Drinks: Is there something about the name Kenny? I could swear that he and a brute named Wes just gave us a primer of the Angelo/Kenny storyline on MTV’s THE RUINS. If you ask me, the Kenny/Angelo alpha male battle seems far more amped up for the cameras than, say, the sibling rivalry of the Voltaggio brothers last season.

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THE WIRE Project: Start Over with GMMR

Since THE WIRE wrapped up its fifth and final season in 2008, I have been astonished at the overwhelming praise it still receives from long time viewers. Though the show’s audience was much smaller than other HBO hits, such as THE SOPRANOS, I hear far more references to The Wire from TV critics and enthusiasts than its counterpart in New Jersey.

If personal favorites like Bill Simmons from ESPN, Jimmy Pardo from Never Not Funny, Alan Sepinwall from HitFix, and Teresa Strasser from The Adam Carolla Show ALL think it’s brilliant, then I should enjoy it, right?  It’s like the transitive property they taught us in math class, applied to the world of entertainment.

Revisiting shows with passionate fan bases is a GIVE ME MY REMOTE tradition.  Kath embraced her inner Sci-Fi fan by conquering Supernatural & Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  In those instances, our fearless leader put her DVD player to the test by watching every episode in those series’ archives.

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: In The Bag

The post-Saracen era began this week on FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, as the focus returned to Coach Taylor’s challenge to build a new team.  Many of East Dillon’s players grew up without father figures, including Lions quarterback Vince Howard.  Beyond the lessons of X’s and O’s, these young men have built walls of distrust that their coach must tear down.

More on Eric Taylor’s confrontation with Vince later, with a clip that captures the sharp writing and fearless acting that serves as the foundation of this series…

Fatherhood was the epicenter of this episode, as we watched the daunting responsibility of raising children bring out the best & worst in the men of Dillon, Texas.  A few weeks ago, I theorized that finding the heroes of FNL was as easy as following the traditions of respect and good manners.  It is no surprise that discerning good Dads from bad Dads may also be done by separating truth from fiction.

Tim Riggins knows what poor parenting looks like.  His Dad left Dillon for a life of honky tonk bars and golf course hustles long ago, and Tim is not willing to see Becky suffer with false expectations like he and Billy did.  All season, casual viewers could have easily perceived Tim & Becky’s storyline to be one of mutual attraction or romantic inevitability.

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TOP CHEF D.C.: Season Premiere

Summertime is usually associated with beach getaways and relaxation. Not for me. In my house, the sunny season is all about Padma Lakshmi and gourmet recipes. That’s right, Top Chef is back for Season 7!

This year’s competition is set in Washington D.C., so the contestants will have ample opportunities to have their food criticized by snarky foodies in business dress. Nothing says Top Chef like a random congressional aide complaining that, “the Cod was just too much!”

More importantly, Top Chef D.C. is the perfect vehicle for “Fantasy Sports Widows,” significant others who have been ignored by loved ones who are obsessed with Fantasy Football or Baseball. If you fit that description, Bravo is helping you fight back, with an all-new Top Chef Fantasy Game for Season 7.

Now, along with rooting for your favorite contestants, you can keep track of the points they receive for winning challenges, receiving compliments, or arguing with other players! Bravo really outdid themselves in designing the game, and I watched the premiere more closely to figure out who would be on my team!

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Stay

First crushes are sweet. They write silly notes in your yearbook about how corny your jokes are, not realizing it took three days for you to work up the courage to ask for their penmanship. First kisses are important for answering trivia questions down the road. Twelve years old, just before the lunch bell rang, behind the school sign. First loves, however, occupy a category all to themselves.

First loves allow you to see yourself through the kindness of their eyes, plan the loftiest of futures without hesitation or cynicism, and cry the heaviest tears you will ever shed. They are a refuge from the storms of teenage melodrama and family discord. When your future is wide open, uncompromised by tough struggles and bad experiences, it is easy to believe that your heart can and will always belong to that unique person.

This week’s Friday Night Lights showcased two young couples struggling to answer a fundamental question. How do you say goodbye to the first person, outside of your immediate family, who loved you unconditionally? The words are too painful to say out loud. Taking the first steps in a new direction feels like a path to ruin. Sometimes, the only way to let go is to close your eyes and put your foot on the gas.

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