Is That You, Ron Swanson? PARKS & REC Star Almost Unrecognizable…as Himself

If it weren’t for that unmistakable voice, I’m not sure I would have known that it was PARKS & REC star Nick Offerman sitting next to Conan O’Brien last night.  Ron Swanson’s signature coif and infamous mustache are gone, allowing the very handsome Nick Offerman to be exposed.

The actor says it’s “the ultimate disguise”.

I know I wouldn’t have recognized him walking down the street.  Would you?

PARKS & REC is back with a new episode on Thursday night at 9:30/8:30c on NBC. It’s one of the funniest episodes…ever!

Kristen Bell Returns to Television in Showtime’s HOUSE OF LIES

Someone start the slow clap. Kristen Bell is returning to television. Showtime has just announced that the VERONICA MARS star has joined the cast of HOUSE OF LIES, a new half-hour dark comedy starring Don Cheadle.

According to Showtime, HOUSE OF LIES is a “subversive, scathing look at a self-loathing management consultant from a top-tier firm. Cheadle will star as Marty, that highly successful, cutthroat consultant who is never above using any means (or anyone) necessary to get his clients the information they want. Bell will play Jeannie Van Der Hooven, a razor-sharp, Ivy-League graduate who works at Marty’s firm.

Bell joins the already cast Dawn Oliveri (HEROES), Josh Lawson (ROMANTICALLY CHALLENGED) and noted comedian Ben Schwartz (UNDERCOVERS) as Marty’s corporate team; the legendary Glynn Turman (IN TREATMENT) as Marty’s psychoanalyst father; and Donis Leonard Jr. (THE FRESH BEAT BAND) as Marty’s young son.” The series is based on the book “House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Tell You the Time” by Martin Kihn.

Production for HOUSE OF LIES will kick off in February in New York and Los Angeles. The show was created and written by Matthew Carnahan who will also serve as Executive Producer. Emmy® winner Stephen Hopkins (CALIFORNICATION, 24) will direct the pilot.

Please let this be a huge hit because I need Kristen Bell on my television every week. Kristen is a far better actress than her movie choices would indicate, so it’s time to get her back to her roots and ruling the small screen once again.

I’m a sucker for anything starring K Bell so I know I’ll be tuning in…will you?

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Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Tuesday, February 1, 2011

While those of us on the East Coast are bracing for yet another winter storm, things are really heating up on television. Ha!  Sorry, I couldn’t resist starting out the morning with a cheesy line.  But we do have a good night of TV ahead. Tonight feels like a ‘grown-up’ night of television for me as I’ll be watching THE GOOD WIFE, WHITE COLLAR and PARENTHOOD.  It helps me justify my more guilty pleasures — yes, I’m talking to you REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS reunion.

There’s plenty on the tube tonight. Here are some highlights. Talk to us about what YOU are watching.

The Biggest Loser | 8pm on NBC
“Weights”
The off-site contestants move to the ranch and face their first elimination. The ranch players, however, learn they’ll be able to skip elimination if they combine to lose more than 48 pounds. Elsewhere, a player’s weight-loss secret is exposed; and the teams compete in a challenge involving weights.

NCIS | 8pm on CBS
“Freedom”
A marine is beaten to death in his backyard, and the team tries to find the man’s family and the murder weapon to solve the crime.

NCIS: Los Angeles | 9pm on CBS
“Lockup”
Sam goes undercover in prison to stop a group of international terrorists responsible for bombings around the world.

V | 9pm on ABC
“Unholy Alliance”
Erica tracks a former Mossad agent who leads the violent faction of the Fifth Column; Jack and priests from across the world speak out against the Visitors; Anna visits the Vatican to try to win over religious leaders.

Hellcats | 10pm on The CW
“Worried Baby Blues”
The Hellcats throw a party with 3OH!3 to launch their calendar fundraiser; Savannah tells her mother about Charlotte; Marti breaks into Bill Marsh’s office; Vanessa tries to sort out her feelings for Red.

The Good Wife | 10pm on CBS
“Silly Season”
Cary’s team looks to challenge Alicia’s client’s murder confession; Wendy Scott-Carr makes threats in an effort to get Peter to drop out of the race.

Read more

The Good Wife | 10pm on CBS

Cary’s team looks to challenge Alicia’s client’s murder confession; Wendy Scott-Carr makes threats in an effort to get Peter to drop out of the race.

CHUCK: ‘Chuck vs. the Push Mix’

It’s hard to believe, but at the time of the construction of tonight’s “Chuck vs. the Push Mix,” the cast, crew and creative team behind CHUCK didn’t know if the show would live beyond this episode. After being picked up initially for only 13 episodes this season, tonight’s hour had the difficult task of being a season finale, a series finale, or as it turned out (thankfully) to be, a mid-season episode that will help set in motion the second half of the fourth season of CHUCK. That’s an awful lot to ask of 42 minutes of TV. But if there was anyone to do it, it was Team CHUCK.

Thankfully (or not, depending how you look at it), this isn’t the first time Chris Fedak, Josh Schwartz and team has dealt with this dilemma. In fact, having to wrap up their show mid-season only to have another shot at life is just kind of how they do things over at CHUCK. It’s not ideal, but the alternative is unbearable, so I’m going to go with being thankful and leave it at that.

Read more

Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Monday, January 31, 2011

Monday, Monday.  Perhaps the cruelest night of the television week.  So many shows to watch and so little space on the DVR.  So on this Monday morning, let’s take the time to thank Hulu, Netflix, OnDemand and other such services that allow us to attempt to keep up with the battleground that is Monday night television.

Check out some of the highlights from this evening’s TV lineup, and let’s have a chat about what you are going to watch when and how. More of my thoughts down below…

Chuck | 8pm on NBC
“Chuck Versus the Push Mix”
While Sarah tries to free Chuck’s mother, Morgan and Chuck go after Volkoff; Casey and Alex bond; Ellie hopes to ease Awesome’s anxiety over becoming a father.[GMMR: There once was a time when tonight’s episode was thought to serve as the CHUCK series finale. GASP! Needless to say, tonight’s episode will be spectacular!]

Pretty Little Liars | 8pm on ABC Family
“If at First You Don’t Succeed, Lie, Lie Again”
Emily returns to the swim team and faces competition from a jealous teammate. Elsewhere, Aria and Ezra attempt to go on a date in public; and Spencer confronts an ugly part of her past when she asks Jason for some details about the night Ali died. [GMMR: Ducky and I chatted about our thoughts on PLL in the latest TV Talk Podcast, so take a listen.]

Human Target | 8pm on Fox
“Kill Bob”
A man in convinced his wife is a Russian spy and wants him dead to gain access to classified military information; Ames tries to keep a secret from Chance.

So much more after the jump…keep reading.

Read more

The TV Talk Podcast: PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, REAL HOUSEWIVES, IDOL, TOP CHEF & More

If you barely survived our bookcasts, don’t worry, we’re back to TV Talk-ing. We met up for an impromptu, late-night carcast and we’re in rare form. That’s right, we’re talking TV with the danger of asphyxiation. You know that’s something you want to hear!

Highlights:

• Kath went to the mall (or the airport) with Cobie Smulders.
• Kath drew the attention of a security guard and calls a girl a stretched midge.
• Ducky’s loves Beaver… No, that can’t be right!
• Ducky educates y’all on the age of consent in Pennsylvania.
• Find out which TV star is packing on the lbs in our opinion.
• We’ve coined “Veggiesauce”
• For some reason we talk about Two and a Half Men, what’s happening to us?
• Kath questions the chances of us dying during this podcast.
• Is it “Got VD?” or “Catch Wood!”
• F#%k You Ryan Murphy
• Paley reunites Freaks & Geeks and the Scupltadorescrew!

Shows covered in this episode: How I Met Your Mother, Chuck, Greek, Pretty Little Liars, The Good Wife, Jersey Shore, Top Chef, An Idiot Abroad, American Idol, Modern Family, The Office, Parks & Recreation, Big Bang Theory, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Supernatural, Megapython & Gatoroid, Dexter, Breaking Bad, Episodes, Shameless

*Recorded: 1/30/11

To listen to TV Talk Podcast (with Chapter Markers) head on over to our iTunes page and subscribe! It’s the fastest and easiest way to listen to The TV Talk Podcast from week to week.

Click here — Listen now to The TV Talk Podcast

DEXTER in 60 Seconds – Parody

Here’s something we haven’t talked about. Did you guys know that I’m now a DEXTER-watcher?

Yup, having heard the praise from so many of you over the past few years, I decided that I should really give the show a shot. I watched my first episode around Christmas time, and a few days after New Years I was officially caught up on the entire series. (And yes, I know that’s a lot of TV watching in one short amount of time. Listen, I never claimed to lead an exciting life). So now I get it. I get why the show has a massive fan base. It’s that good. Like, really good.

Want to watch DEXTER but just don’t have the time to play catch up? Just check out this video below and learn all you need to know. Ok, maybe not everything…but it’s pretty funny all the same.

We’ll be talking more about my experience with DEXTER on the next TV Talk Podcast. Stay tuned!

‘The Creep’ – SNL Digital Short featuring Nicki Minja

Move over African Anteater Ritual, there’s a new dance sweeping the nation and it’s called ‘The Creep’.

The guys from The Lonely Island are back again with another hilarious SNL digital short and this time around they got Nicki Minaj to help them out. Check out ‘The Creep’ as featured on last night’s SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.

As with most Lonely Island songs, I’ll be downloading “The Creep” from iTunes today. And I know just who will be getting this song as their new ringtone.

Mark Zuckerberg & Jesse Eisenberg Meet on SNL

The Facebook founder and the guy that played the Facebook founder met up last night on the SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE stage last night. And yes, it was just as awkward as you might expect.

SNL host Jesse Eisenberg, who was recently nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, was first joined by Adam Samberg who was parodying Zuckerberg, before the real Zuckerberg joined them on stage.

Did you follow that?

No.

Ok, let me try again…

So Eisenberg, Samberg and Zuckerberg are all on stage..ah, forget it, just watch the clip.

Garden State | 6pm on Style

An emotionally numb actor finds a soulmate in a quirky young woman after he returns to New Jersey for his mother’s funeral. Starring Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Jim Parsons

AMERICAN IDOL Season 10 Premiere Recap

It wasn’t until after I turned off AMERICAN IDOL’s season premiere last night that it occurred to me — I didn’t miss Simon Cowell. Not only did I not I miss him, but he didn’t cross my mind once during the entire show. It was a bit of a revelatory moment considering that Simon has been the backbone of IDOL since the show premiered back in 2002.

With Simon (and Kara and Ellen) gone, there was room next to Randy at the judges table, and last night was the first time America got to see new judges, Jennifer Lopez and Steve Tyler, in action.  How would Jenny from the Block and the Aerosmith front man fare critiquing these fresh crop of IDOL wannabes? Would they be truly participatory or merely just the window dressing in a desperate attempt to save the show?

Read more

The Office | 9pm on NBC

When Robert decides to sell his mansion, Kevin suggests he throw a pool party for the office; Erin flirts with Dwight to get Andy’s attention; Robert gives a tour of his home.

Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Tuesday, January 18, 2011

If you’re not careful, Tuesday night television can really sneak up and bite you. There’s a ton of really great TV on this evening.  In terms of pure quality, Tuesday might be the strongest night of the week. Who knew?

Over on USA, it’s the return of the spectacular WHITE COLLAR. Peter and Neal are back to finding the bad guys and looking good while doing it. On The CW, LIFE UNEXPECTED will air its final episodes tonight. Bye, LUX. And if you missed the first season of the critically acclaimed, THE WALKING DEAD, then head over to AMC this evening for the season one, six episode marathon starting at 8 p.m.

Welcoming back, new shows. Parting a fond farewell to another. And one show returning from the dead. It’s the circle of TV life.

Check out the highlights from tonight’s lineup…

No Ordinary Family | 8pm on ABC
“No Ordinary Detention”
Jim’s secret is put at risk when the police station is taken hostage; Stephanie and Kelly become suspicious of a human resources vice president (Rebecca Mader).

The Biggest Loser | 8pm on NBC
“Meet the New Trainers”
The identities of the unknown trainers are revealed. Elsewhere, the players compete for a healthy meal prepared by Curtis Stone and a two-pound advantage at the weigh-in; Dr. Huizenga provides more health assessments; Bob and Jillian look for the roots of players’ weight struggles; the winner of a water-carrying challenge receives the sole vote during elimination; and a team’s weigh-in results surprise the trainers.

Life Unexpected | 8pm on The CW | Series Finale
“Teacher Schooled; Affair Remembered”
In the series finale, Baze prepares for a future with Emma, unaware of her secret past with his dad. Then Lux arranges a special meal for herself and Eric when she feels him pulling away, but her parents find out about it and crash her intimate dinner. [GMMR: Sad to see this show go. It started off with incredible promise, but went off the rails a bit when the network suits got involved and did everything in their power to make the show the most cliched version of itself. Still hoping for the announcement of a ‘My Two Dads’ remake starring Baze, Ryan and Lux. Sorry, Cate, but you are the one character I won’t miss.]

NCIS | 8pm on CBS
“Recruited”
When a Navy recruiter is killed at a college fair, the team gets a little help in the form of Dr. ‘Ducky’ Mallard’s  predecessor, Dr. Walter Magnus (Bob Newhart).

NCIS: Los Angeles | 9pm on CBS
“Archangel”
The team looks for a hacker who stole Pentagon documents that were uploaded to a blog before the person gets the decryption code to the wrong people.

V | 9pm on ABC
“Laid Bare”
Erica fights to keep Anna from finding out she’s Fifth Column; Anna orders Ryan to find Agent Malik after she goes missing; Lisa notices her body is changing.

So much more…keep reading. Read more

Life Unexpected | 8pm on The CW

Series Finale: Baze prepares for a future with Emma, unaware of her secret past with his dad. Lux arranges a special meal for herself and Eric, but her parents find out about it and crash her intimate dinner.

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