Welcome TV fans! This is the new home for Tube Talk, the place for TV show reviews, celebrity interviews, news & scoop. E-mail Tube Talk Girl at jenbiller@frontier.com or reach her by mail at RR 3 Box 155, Bridgeport, WV 26330.
After watching the Private Practice-Grey’s Anatomy crossover, one thing is clear. Seattle Grace needs Addison Montgomery.
When she left the show for the Private Practice spin-off, I was sorely disappointed. She was one of my favorite characters on Grey’s, until she down spiraled and slept with Alex. But I digress.
Grey’s Anatomy has suffered without Addison. This season, we’ve watched tortured Izzie have a fling with a ghost, Callie trying out life as a lesbian, and Bailey turning into a softer surgeon with an eye on pediatrics. George, who used to be a highlight, has had about five minutes of screen time, Cristina is the same as always, except angrier, and Meredith, well, she’s still Meredith, treating her sister like dirt, wallowing in her depression, and looking forward to a life with McDreamy.
Grey’s lost its punch after Addison departed. Maybe it’s all the behind-the-scenes drama having an effect, with rumors swirling daily that Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight both want out of the show. I’m not sure. But I know the show had its sparkle back for those two brief crossover episodes.
Kate Walsh has off-the-charts chemistry with Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane, is a valued pal for Dr. Bailey, and breathes excitement into every scene. I didn’t realize how much I missed her as part of the ensemble, until she was back walking the halls of Seattle Grace.
I loved the little details the Grey’s writers gave us about Derek and Addison’s past, during the crossover. He wrote her a song for their wedding! (Admittedly, that little ditty was stuck in my head for a couple days, after Taye Diggs and the gang broke out in song, “Addison Montgomery, I met her in the summer. She…” Hilarious.) I'm sorry to all the Mer-Der fans out there, but Addison and Derek have a long history that is compelling and needs to be further explored.
Please, Addison, come back to Grey’s Anatomy. We need you.
The CW made a lot of folks happy this week with its pick-up announcements.
The network is renewing most of its popular shows for next season, including Smallville, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, Supernatural, America’s Top Model, and the freshman drama 90210.
Unfortunately, my favorite new show of the season, Privileged, has not received the green light for renewal yet. The network is still deciding its fate. Hello, CW! What are you waiting for? The show rocks.
Also, Reaper, The Game, and Everybody Hates Chris have not been renewed yet either. That doesn’t mean they’ve been cancelled; it just means the network hasn’t decided yet whether it wants them for next season.
Of all the shows renewed, I’m most shocked that One Tree Hill got a pick-up. The show seems to have outlived its original appeal for me. Plus, rumors are swirling that star Chad Michael Murray has not officially committed for the new season. If there is one thing I hate, it’s when shows limp on past their primes, especially without the original cast that made them magical.
I’m also a little stunned that Smallville was renewed, too. Don’t get me wrong; the show is back on track this season, after last year’s debacle, but I’m concerned about what more they can possibly do to Clark Kent, without actually turning him into Superman. He’s already working at The Daily Planet, fighting crime with Green Arrow, and flirting with Lois Lane.
I had fully prepared myself for my Oscar rundown to have more lowlights than highlights. I love the Academy Awards and what they stand for, but the actual awards’ presentation can be a little boring at times. However, I am happy to say that this year’s telecast was really enjoyable, not boring at all. There were so many great speeches and beautiful dedications. The entire format of the show was different than years before, but change can be good thing.
Many people have occupied the spot of host, like Hugh Jackman did Sunday night. Some have hit it out of the park and others have left little to be desired. I was rooting for Mr. Wolverine himself to pull it off with flying colors, and he did. His opening number was spectacular and truly showcased that he can act and sing, too. I loved when he pulled Anne Hathaway from the audience and made it a duet. That girl can sing! Also, she can pull off a hilarious Nixon impersonation. Well done, Anne.
What I loved about this year’s Oscars was how they didn’t just showcase the films that were nominated. They took time to also show movies that weren’t deemed by some to be “Oscar-worthy”. They did that by showing movie montages that focused on romance action and animation. Well, my favorite was the Romance in 20008 spot, and I’ll tell you all why. The first reason is because it showed some of my favorite moments in last year’s movies. Secondly, it was presented by the amazingly adorable Robert Pattinson. Any of you who have seen Twilight know what I’m talking about right now.
When the major awards were given out, recipients from the past came out on stage and presented them to the nominees. It wasn’t just the boring way of reading the name off the teleprompter this year. Each presenter was assigned a nominee and they gave a little speech about what that person had accomplished in his/her role. I’m not embarrassed to say that some of those speeches had me choked up. Anne Hathaway could barely hold back the tears and neither could Best Actress winner Kate Winslet. I loved Kate’s acceptance speech. Come on, who hasn’t held up the bottle of shampoo and imagined it was an Oscar? We’ve all done it.
The brilliant Sean Penn won for his performance in MILK which was shocking for some. The equally amazing Heath Ledger won for his daunting role as the Joker in the Dark Knight. His family accepted the award on his behalf, and I think that’s when the entire audience started crying. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Some other highlights were Tina Fey and Steve Martin presenting for Best Screenplay and Ben Stiller’s awkward but yet amusing Joaquin Phoenix impression. What did you all think about this year’s Oscars? Was there a favorite moment, a favorite dress? Let me know in the comments.
Commentary with a Co-Ed is a weekly column at Tube Talk new every Friday.
Mark your calendars, Tubers. We finally have a date for the return of Rescue Me. Yahoo!
I know; it seems like the show has been off the air for months. Well, it has. But happy days are here again.
The 22-episode fifth season kicks off April 7 at 10 p.m. ET on FX. Michael J. Fox and Maura Tierney are on board for guest-starring arcs. The season finale will air Tuesday, September 8.
If that’s not enough good news for you, then how about this? FX has renewed Rescue Me for a sixth season.
“We’re amazed by the quality of episodes for the upcoming fifth season, which are some of the best they’ve ever produced,” said FX Networks President and General Manager John Landgraf. “I believe this show will continue to maintain a level of excellence for several years to come and we’re thrilled to pick it up for a sixth season. Rescue Me is one of the very best series on television and a tent pole program for FX.”
Finally, Rescue MeDenis Leary is launching an 11-city live comedy tour featuring Leary and his fellow Rescue Me co-stars Adam Ferrara and Lenny Clarke, and other stand-ups. The Rescue Me Comedy Tour will be at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Thursday, April 2 and will include a screening of the first episode of Rescue Me season five. The event will benefit The Leary Firefighters Foundation. For information on the tour schedule visit denisleary.comor get tickets and packages at learyfirefighters.orgor by calling 212-343-0240.
In honor of Valentine’s Day this Saturday, I decided that this would be the best time to make my list of television’s best and most memorable couples. There have been so many couples over the years that have left an impact on viewers so it was definitely a task to narrow it down. Whether these duos are breaking up, making up, or fighting to the death one cannot deny the sparks that fly in the process.
Buffy and Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer): These two were the definition of “star-crossed lovers”. A vampire in love with the Slayer, like Giles once said, “It’s rather poetic.” This couple had everything against them. He was more than 100-years old, and she was a high school student. Not to mention that she killed his species for a living. His basic instinct was to kill her, but instead he fell in love with her. Their story was filled with love and hate, but we never stopped rooting for them. Even when he turned evil and, she was going to kill him, we still hoped they would find a way back to each other. They did, for a while, but like any “star-crossed” couple they split apart. Buffy and Angel’s love story was one of the highlights of the series and deserve the top spot on this list.
Ross and Rachel (Friends): The fans only waited 10 years for these two to finally wake up and realize they belonged together. They had many trials and tribulations in their often-rocky relationship (remember the “we were on a break” debacle?), but they never stopped caring about each other. They were still friends, after all they had been through. Their first kiss at Central Perk is one of those memorable moments in TV history that fans will certainly never forget.
Jack/Kate/Sawyer (Lost): Okay, so I couldn’t choose which pair was better. The truth is that both men have amazing chemistry with Kate. I’m sure there are fans out there who could choose with no problem about which pair they would rather watch onscreen. I think the appeal of these two men with Kate is that they both have a very different type of relationship with her. Jack makes Kate a better person when she’s with him. He helped her through the weirdness that is the island. On many occasions he has been a source of strength for her. Sawyer and Kate have this amazing connection and sizzling attraction. Also, when they are together we get to see a softer side to Sawyer, which is always a nice thing to see.
These are my choices of the best couples of TV past and present. Which couples would make your list? Happy Valentine’s Day!
Commentary with a Co-Ed is a weekly column at Tube Talk new every Friday.
I admit it. Robert Buckley is one of the main reasons I kept tuning in to Lipstick Jungle this season. Call me shallow. I don’t mind.
As Kirby on Lipstick Jungle, he not only enthralled Nico, but viewers as well.
Tonight, he joins one of my favorite shows, Privileged, on the CW. If Buckley is half as charming as he was on his last series, then perhaps Will should be a little worried about Megan.
Check out the photos below and the interviews with Buckley and Brian Hallisay, who plays Will.
Hey, it’s a Tuesday. Everyone can use a little man candy, right? Ladies, you’re welcome. (My apologies to Brian Hallisay, who according to the interview below isn’t fond of the terms “hottie” and “man candy.” It’s a shame really because yes, he’s both.)
Last week I was invited to a conference call with one of my favorite TV writers: Joss Whedon.
Pinch me.
Yes, that Joss Whedon, of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly fame.
Whedon was, of course, funny. Anyone familiar with his writing knows he can turn a phrase so quickly and so humorously that you’re laughing before you realize just how clever he really is.
Whedon participated in the call to speak to journalists about his new TV show Dollhouse, premiering on FOX Friday at 9 p.m. ET.
Dollhouse is set in a futuristic laboratory where the residents are implanted with memories and skills and then assigned various tasks and personas, only to have their memories erased upon the completion of their assignments. They can become anyone. The show centers on Echo, actress Eliza Dushku, (Faith of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) Echo is beginning to realize who she is and what’s going on.
Here’s a quick recap of the interview. You have to love a guy who can use the words “enounce” and “amorphous” in the same sentence. (See the paragraph where he discusses the genesis of the show.)
Comparing Dollhouse to Whedon’s former shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly. Whedon: “There is a lot of fun and a lot of humor in it. What it doesn’t have is an inherent silliness that both Buffy and Firefly had, and even Angel. That was we could just take one step back, that part of the fun was deconstructing the genre we were in. This has to be a little bit more grounded in order for it to play, or it would become campy, and with vampires and spaceships and horses, we had more leeway to be a little less realistic in how we plotted things. But humor is a part of the show all over the place, because we have really funny actors, and these situations do become absurd, and besides, we would get really bored if we didn’t.”
On rewriting the Dollhouse pilot to make the network happier: Whedon: “Part of the mandate of the show is to make people nervous. It’s to make them identify with people they don’t like and get into situations that they don’t approve of, and also look at some of the heroic side of things and wonder if maybe they were wrong about what motivated those as well. So we’re out to make people uncomfortable, but not maybe so much our bosses…. We had all of the elements, the characters, none of which were changed really, and none of the regular characters, and the premise, the concept, the way we were able to explore what makes us human, all of that is in there. As the season progresses, it ends up going exactly where I had hoped it would go before all of this happened, so I do feel like we got back to our vision in a way that really works for the network. And the last few episodes that we just completed shooting got all of us extraordinarily excited.” On the Friday night time slot Whedon: “Honestly, I really do see the opportunity there because the deal with the Friday night time slot was you don’t come out, bang, opening weekend, and it’s all decided. It’s about growing a fan base, both for Dollhouse and Terminator. I think Terminator is a remarkably good show, and the kind of show that makes sense to be paired with Dollhouse, so I feel great about that, plus I get to see all these posters with Summer (Glau) and Eliza together and that’s just too cool. Ultimately, this is a show where people will hopefully become intrigued and then hang in, that really builds, so it needs the 13 weeks, and it needs the 13 weeks of people paying attention, but not so much attention that it gets burned out in the glare of the spotlight. I’ve always worked best under the radar. Most of my shows people have come to after they stopped airing, but I would like to buck that trend, and at the same time, it is part of how I work that you stay with it and it grows on you and it becomes family, and the Friday night is a much better place for that to actually happen.”
On whether he’ll do any of his trademark unique ideas such as having an episode where no one speaks (Buffy), an episode of puppets (Angel) or an all musical episode (Buffy.) Whedon: “Most of the things I think have been done at some point, and we don’t think it’s done for their own sakes, but one of the exciting things about the show, one of the reasons why we’re excited to have more runs at it is that you can really come at these stories from a lot of different perspectives; from the perspective of a client, from the perspective, as we do in episode six, from the man on the street, from the perspective of obviously Echo or any of the dolls or the people who are running it. But I don’t have anything specific in mind, and no, I’m not planning a Dollhouse musical just yet.”
Commenting on episode two of Dollhouse and why it wasn’t used as the pilot. (I won’t spoil you but the concept is a bit “outrageous.”) Whedon: “Outrageous is always good. That episode was meant originally to be around episode five, or possibly even eight, and it was the network who said, excuse me, did you say bow hunting? That will come second please, because we already had the pilot working, so it kind of got bumped up further than, but you’re not the first person to say why didn’t you just open with that, and my answer would be I don’t know. I had the other idea first.”
On the genesis of the show and how it began with a lunch with Eliza Dushku Whedon: “I’m very interested in concepts of identity, what enounce is our own, what’s socialized, can people actually change, what do we expect from each other, how much do we use each other and manipulate each other, and what would we do if we had this kind of power over each other? And in this, our increasingly virtual world, self-definition has become a very amorphous concept, so it just felt what was on my mind. I don’t mean it felt timely like I was trolling the papers looking for something timely. It’s just been something I think about a lot.”
On Dollhouse star Eliza Dushku Whedon: “She’s overcome her homely shyness over these years. Eliza is, apart from being, in my opinion, as great a star as I have ever known; she has a genuinely powerful electric and luminous quality that I’ve rarely seen. She’s also a really solid person. She’s a good friend. She’s a feminist. She’s an activist. She’s interested in the people around her. She has a lot of different things going on, and I’ve watched her over the years, as a friend, try to take control of her career, and try to get the roles that weren’t available to her, and protect the ethos and the message of what it was that she was doing, and I respect that enormously. Being part of that progression is, for me, one of the greatest benefits of this show.”
Dollhouse premieres this Friday at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.
Last night on Brothers and Sisters, we got our first glimpse of the newest Walker sibling.
Actor Luke Grimes snagged the part. I’m not familiar with Grimes’ work, but I wish him and his character the best of luck. Going into the crazy Walker family, he’s going to need it.
The CW network is looking for “environmentally conscious video enthusiasts” to take part in the “Green Your World” contest Free 2 Be Green campaign.
The winner will receive $10,000, be featured online at CWTV.com and possibly on the CW network during Earth Week.
To take part, viewers must produce their own video (two minutes maximum in length) explaining how they actively work to “green their world” and upload it to CWTV. Participants who do not have access to video equipment can submit a 150-word essay explaining their dedication to helping the environment.
Five finalists will be selected to each produce a series of four (one per week) video blogs (or vlogs) about their contributions to the environment and making their communities a better place for everyone. The winner will be chosen from the five.
The deadline is February 16, 2009.
For complete details, guidelines, rules and restrictions regarding the “Green Your World” sweepstakes, please go to www.cwtv.com/greenyourworld.
Move over Luke Perry, there’s a new “Dylan” in Beverly Hills 90210, and he doesn’t have sideburns.
The new bad boy to hit 90210 is actor MattLanter. His character’s name is Liam.
I’m not sure yet if he reads the classics and drives a motorcycle like the old “Dylan,” but with a face like that, I’m sure the ladies won’t care.
Liam premieres on this Tuesday’s show as a mysterious guy working at the hotel where Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) currently lives. You can guess what happens next, as shown in the photo below.
ABC released the names of the new cast of Dancing With the Stars Sunday night. It seems a little light on the “stars” part if you ask me.
Sadly, there’s only one name on the list that gets me remotely excited: country music star Chuck Wicks, who just happens to be the real-life boyfriend of Dancing champ Julianne Hough. (Allegedly, the two are dancing together, so be warned, it could get steamy.)
As for the rest of the dancers, ABC is staying true to form with its traditional cast cocktail: a couple comediennes - David Alan Grier and Jackass star Steve-O; several musicians - Jewel, Rapper Lil' Kim, and former Go-Go's frontwoman Belinda Carlisle; a millionaire mogul - Apple Computers co-founder Steve Wozniak; an actress and an actor - Denise Richards and Gilles Marini, aka "the naked guy from the Sex and the City movie; and plenty of athletes - rodeo star Ty Murray, (who happens to be married to fellow contestant Jewel), football great Lawrence Taylor, and Olympic gold medallist Shawn Johnson. Also dancing this season is Access Hollywood host Nancy O’Dell, who reminds me of a real-life Barbie.
I guess the good news is that Donny Osmond isn’t on the list, despite his earlier claim that he’d be doing the show.
So what do you think of this season’s contestants? Are you disappointed, excited, or ambivalent at this point?
While many people tuned in to the Super Bowl last Sunday to see which team, the Arizona Cardinals or the Pittsburgh Steelers, would walk away as the champions, I have to admit I wasn’t one of them. To be perfectly honest, my football season pretty much ends when the New England Patriots stop playing. I instead tuned in to watch the numerous ads that were sure to get people talking. Here are my choices of some of the most memorable.
Heroes of the Gridiron: I loved this commercial! Not only was it of one of my favorite shows, (yes, I’m still watching!) but it was great to see the cast in a fun setting like that. It was the Heroes vs. NFL legends. Peter, Nathan, Claire, Hiro, Ando and Parkman were all in attendance. Even Noah and Mama Petrelli were on the sidelines which was awesome. I loved when Claire charged in and broke all her bones and then Ando told Hiro to “save the cheerleader” and he yelled “Later!” I thought that was hysterical. As well as Hiro’s little dance after completing a big play. Jerry Rice called in reinforcements with a flying John Elway making an appearance. Parkman’s line about him knowing that Elway was one of them had me laughing. This was definitely one of my favorite commercials of the night.
Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head for Bridgestone: Who didn’t have a Mr. Potato Head at one time in their life? I certainly did. So when I saw this commercial I thought it was really funny. Mrs. Potato Head was driving in the car with her husband and she won’t stop nagging him. They almost hit a bunch of sheep and when they come to a stop her mouth falls off and over the cliff. While I’m sure this made Mr. Potato Head happy, Mrs. Potato Head then switched her eyes to those of extreme anger and fury. If she can’t verbalize her frustration she’s was going to give him the death stare.
Audi 2009- Car chase: How can a commercial go wrong when it has Jason Statham in it? It really can’t. The actor from Transporter fame goes through the last couple of decades to find the perfect getaway car. It’s not until he arrived in 2009 did he find the one that was just right. I think Lost’sHurley needs to get himself this car, pronto.
LMAO Syndrome-NBC Thursday lineup: I think this was the ad that made me laugh the most. Of course, after watching this I had the urge to hold my laughter in. The woman with the cooler, the unsuspecting woman who laughed her butt off, literally, when watching the Thursday night comedy lineup were all hysterical. It was a clever commercial that took a much-used online acronym in the literal sense.
What was your favorite Super Bowl ad? Let me know in the comments.
Check out my favorite below.
Commentary with a Co-Ed is a weekly column at Tube Talk new every Friday.
Those of you patiently waiting for the return of Reaper on the CW, the wait is over.
The CW is moving up the return of Reaper to March 3 from the previously announced March 17 date. The show will air on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
Reaper will air 13 consecutive episodes and wrap up with its season finale on May 26.
Meanwhile, 90210 is changing its timeslot. It’s moving to 9 p.m. ET on Tuesdays. 90210 will air eight consecutive episodes from March 31 through the season finale on May 19.
And finally, the season finale of Privileged will air on Tuesday, February 24 at 9 p.m. ET. Yes, I’m sad, too. I love Sage and Rose. They will be missed.
To celebrate the return of Reaper, check out this video below, but disregard the March 17 date. Once again, it’s now March 3.
Let me preface this review by saying that I love Tom Cavanagh and Eric McCormack.
But not even this dynamic duo got me interested enough in the new TNT series Trust Me to give it a slot on my busy DVR.
Set in the world of advertising, Trust Me follows two creative partners struggling in the high-pressure world of advertising. Who knew advertising was such a cut-throat business?
Not me. If Trust Me is any real reflection of what goes on in the ad world, then I’m glad I didn’t choose that career.
Trust Me is so serious at times it’s downright depressing. It’s advertising, people. It’s not like it’s a hospital or a law firm setting, where characters are actually determining the fate of people’s lives. Yet, the plots make it feel that way.
Cavanagh and McCormack excel at comedy and dramedy. Sadly, they get little of either in this show. Chalked full of office politics, professional jealousies and co-worker conflicts, on paper, it seems that Trust Me would work on every level. It doesn’t.
If you’re fans of Cavanagh and McCormack, then you should check out the show and decide for yourselves. But trust me, I cannot endorse this one.
Creator Bill Lawrence announced that the show will end after this season, during a talk at his alma mater, the College of William and Mary, according to The Daily Press.
Scrubs is currently in its eight season. It spent seven years on the NBC network, before jumping to ABC this year.
A new crop of interns was introduced this season with the idea that the show potentially could continue if star Zach Braff left this year. But, Lawrence and Braff decided it was time to go.
Thank you, Mr. Lawrence. There’s nothing worse than watching a show that was once spectacular disintegrate into something that barely resembles its former self. (Hello, Dawson’s Creek.)
Lawrence spilled some details about what will happen this season. We’ll finally learn the janitor’s name. Yes, he has one, other than “Janitor.” And Ted will get a girlfriend who shares his love of music.
So what do you think, Tubers? Are you happy that Scrubs will go out on a high note, or were you hoping it would stick around another year with the new cast?
Yeah, I already know the answer, but feel free to tell me otherwise in the comments below.
by Jennifer Squires Biller
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