Saturday, December 12, 2009

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CX


Quote of the Week: Dan, somebody’s going to have to stick their finger up your butt and I think we’d both prefer it to be Jillian. (Dr. Sands, Mercy)

Song of the Week: Informer – Snow (How I Met Your Mother)

Big News of the Week: TV at Great Prices: To avoid having to talk about Tiger Woods again, I have moved the Deal of the Week up because Amazon is currently is having a TV on DVD sale with sets at the lowest I have ever seen anywhere. Here are some shows that I highly recommend that should please any television fan on your Christmas list, or just want it for yourself (click here for the full list of almost 300 deals, and not these prices are only for a limited time and most of the series sets have equally low individual seasons):

Veronica Mars - The Complete Series ($62.49)
Friday Night Lights 1.x ($14.99)
Rome: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] ($83.99)
Chuck 1.x ($17.99)
Rescue Me 1.x ($20.99)
Deadwood: The Complete Series ($97.49)
The Big Bang Theory 1.x ($19.99)
Pushing Daisies 1.x ($19.99)
Dead Like Me: The Complete Collection ($42.99)
Dexter 3.x ($18.99)
How I Met Your Mother 1.x ($14.99)
Everwood 1.x & 2.x ($38.99)
Chuck 1.x [Blu-ray] ($29.99)
Pushing Daisies 1.x [Blu-ray] ($23.99)


The Big Bang Theory: Always a good episode whenever there is a heavy dose of Penny and Sheldon interaction and Sheldon teaching Penny physics that failed as bad as I expected (hopefully there is an upcoming episode where Penny tries to teach Sheldon something which on paper should be even funnier). You can download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

Castle: The last time I wrote about this show I complained how whenever an actor I know shows up I instantly figure out they are the killer. And wouldn’t you know it, this episode had two (Riley Finn, the second Buffy alum in a row, and Shawn Hunter) and neither turned out to do the crime. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes. Also be sure to check out my chat with Stana Katic.

Mercy: I liked at her Veterans meeting, everyone else there looked disheveled and dressing one step above a homeless person, but Ronnie struts in looking absurdly hot in a designer coat. Gotta love television. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mercy on iTunes.

Real World-Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins: Well that sucked. How can you go so slow on the balance stage that five people can pass you, even after falling off and having a one stage lead. Hopefully the show puts a moratorium on inviting Kenny, Evan and Johnny because they have made their last couple challenges lame. You can stream recent episodes over at mtv.com. You can also download Real World-Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins on iTunes.

Survivor: Samoa: Now that is balls. Russell pulls out the hidden immunity idol and puts it around his neck and then doesn’t even play it. They should have voted him out just for that. They should do more of these double eliminations (with two separate tribal and immunity challenges instead of the two for ones like they have done in the past) as it can beat the doldrums that some of the later episodes have in a season when there are fewer people around. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Survivor on iTunes


Community: That may have been the greater brawl in the history of television and almost as gay as the one my high school production of West Side Story, where I played Hispanic #3, staged. And yes you read my role right, I didn’t go to the most diverse school in the country. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Free Download of the Week: Holiday Sampler (iTunes): Last week I pointed you to Amazon’s 25 Days of Christmas Music and now iTunes if getting in the giving spirit with this twenty song sampler featuring holiday cheer from Weezer, Sarah McLachlan, Musiq Soulchild, Barry Manilow, and Stephan Colbert. Yes Stephan Colbert singing Another Christmas Song (that’s the title of the song).

Video of the Week: It is disappointed that Adam Sandler didn’t put out a proper video for any of his three versions of The Chanukah Song, but this Neil Diamond version more than makes up for it. Here’s hoping Neil gets around to recording the full trilogy.



Next Week Pick of the Week: Survivor, Thursday at 8:00 on CBS: Thanks to Russell, this season started out very exciting, but thanks to the ineptitude of Galu, it went downhill after the merge as none of them realized that Russell was getting them to vote out their own until they realized that they no longer had the majority. Hopefully Jaison and/or Mick wise up and we get some fireworks in the final two episodes and not just lie down and let Russell walk away with a million dollars.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Around the Tubes vol. XXXIII


I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Califiornication, Big Love, Chuck, Parenthood, and Life After Film School.

- Today at 3:00 (Noon PT), log onto sho.com to chat with Californication star David Duchovany about this Sunday’s season three finale which sees the return of Madeline Zima.

- It’s that time of the year and even the folks of Juniper Creek are getting into the Christmas spirit with their own eight song album of holiday classics. Head over to HBO.com to download them and listen to them in the widget below. And don’t forget Big Love season four starting up January 10 at 9:00 (and for those of you like me and catching it on DVD, season three is being released January 5).

Free MP3s on Last.fm


- Here is a five minute “Super Preview” of Chuck (also premiere in January 10 at 9:00)featuring interviews with the cast. If that is not enough Chuck for you, TVGuide.com has an interview with Zach Levi.

Season Three Super Preview


- Parenthood was relegated to midseason to give time to recast Lauren Graham on the show and here is a first look at her on the show coming sometime after the Olympics finish:

Parenthood


- In other NBC news, NBC.com is getting into the Christmas spirit letting stream popular shows during the holidays. Look below for details:

All the episodes of the current seasons of Heroes, Trauma and Mercy are online!
30 Rock – Every 9 days, 3 more episodes from Season 4 will go live between December 11 and January 14
The Office – Every 9 Days, 3 more episodes from Season 5 go live between December 11 and January 21
Chuck – Starting now, 5 episodes from Season 2 will go live every 13 days until the January 10 premiere of Season 3

- Coming this Sunday to Fox Movie Channel on their Life After Film School show is Avatar producer, Jon Landau.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

I Want My Music Television vol. LXXI


There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I thought I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.


Must Be Santa – Bob Dylan



Adam Sandler once famously proclaimed “Bob Dylan was born a Jew, then he wasn’t and now he’s back.” And now for his first holiday album, Bob Dylan is saluting the patron saint of Christmas in this odd song (he inexplicitly slices recent US presidents with reindeer names) with an even weirder video where, for reason only Dylan knows, he wears a stringy wig. Someone needs to keep off the eggnog.


¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe! – The Killers



The Killers are also ready for Christmas with their new festive, albeit south of the border, tune. Complete with a video, half that looks like outtakes from the When We Were Young video featuring a bearded Luke Perry look-a-like, the other half looks like outtakes from a Mexican horror film. Feliz Navidad.


Full Steam – David Gray and Annie Lennox



This video reminds me of the classic age of music videos when all of them had vague narratives that morph into a performance piece in some non descript area that really has nothing to do with the song. And I couldn’t stop laughing at their movements and especially David Gray’s weird mouth thing. It is too bad this won’t get enough attation because there could have been a decent SNL spoof here (the video is funnier than any Digital Short in recent memory).


I Wanna Rock – Snoop Dogg



In a story I broke Tuesday, Snoop Dogg has a new album out (see: Boss Dogg Chilin, Lookin Like a Million) and this is really the only song worth listening to. And it looks like Snoop wants to add superhero to his already long list of extra-curricular activities.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Feed Your iPod the CD vol. II


Feed Your iPod was created to highlight songs that may not have been hits, or even released as singles, but deserve a much bigger audience. And now I have posted enough for a second CD. Of course Feed Your iPod is just a catchy title and any of these can be for any mp3 devise, just your computer and now you can make a CD out of them as the first set comes in at 78:57. You can even help create volume three by emailing me (or use the comment section) song suggestions and a short description on way everyone should have it on their iPod for me to post. Click the links below to be taken to iTunes or the Amazon MP3 widet at the bottom where you can sample the songs or use the label function to scroll through what I had to say about these songs when I originally posted about them and full song previews.

1. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room – John Mayer

2. Two Wrongs – Wyclef Jean featuring Claudette Ortiz

3. Breakdown – Handsome Boy Modeling School

4. Like a Feather – Nikka Costa

5. Fireflies – Rhett Miller Featuring Rachael Yamagata

6. I Got Mine – The Black Keys

7. Bold as Love – Jimi Hendrix Experience

8. ‘Til I Get Over You – Michelle Branch

9. If God Would Send His Angels – U2

10. Hitchhiker Joe – Rugburns

11. Summertime – D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince

12. On the Radio – Regina Spektor

13. Summer in the City – The Lovin’ Spoonful

14. Broken Hearted – Eric Clapton

15. Mass Appeal – Gang Starr

16. We’re Going to Be Friends – The White Stripes

17. Follow the Leader – Eric B. and Rakim

18. Regulate – Warren G featuring Nate Dogg

19. Spin the Bottle – The Juliana Hatfield 3



Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Boss Dogg Chillin, Lookin Like a Million


Malice N Wonderland - Snoop Dogg

Sometimes it hard to remember that Snoop Dogg still raps with all his acting, reality show, porn producing, wrestling enthusiast, product pitcher, Steelers and UFC cheerleader, and just general celebrity. It is hard to remember because despite releasing nine albums (six solo, three collaborations) this decade, he has only amassed one massive hit. And if you think about it, Snoop has had more hits being featured on a Dr. Dre track then ones credited to Snoop himself.

So it is not surprising on his tenth solo outing Malice N Wonderland, the best song on the set is the one that was produced by Dre. I Wanna Rock takes the intro from the seminal rap classic It Takes Two by D.J. EZ Rock and Rob Base and loops it into its own beat and turns the first three words by Rob Base into the hook to great effects even if Snoop shouts out Michael Vick who you would think would be the nemesis of the Doggfather. Though the only other producer who seems to get the best out of Snoop, Pharrell of the Neptunes, contribute to the album the slow jam Special featuring Brandy.

Other guest fall flat too, Soulja Boy Tell ‘em continues to suck massively with his auto-tune abusing Pronto with stupid lyrics like “I don’t freestyle because my rhymes aren’t free.” Lil’ John is resurrected from obscurity for 1800 that sounds like every other song he has ever produced. The-Dream, whoever that is, for some reason gets two spots (both of which he produced) on the album but also drowns his voice in unnecessary auto-tune which just makes the tracks worthless. Old schooler Kokain appears on Secrets which feature a sample Talking in Your Sleep by The Romantics that rivels anything by Puff Daddy has done for lamest 80’s sample ever.

The one guest spot that does actually work is by someone who doesn’t need any auto-tune R. Kelly (who recently released his own album that I won’t be reviewing because it didn’t feature any new chapters of Trapped in the Closet) on Pimpin Ain’t EZ which sounds like a fun extension of That’s That. But much like every album since Doggystyle, there is no reason to buy Malice N Wonderland in whole, just cherry pick the few good tracks and hope Snoop wises up and gets Dre to produce his whole album next time.

Song to Download – I Wanna Rock

Malice N Wonderland gets a Terror Alert Level: Guarded [BLUE] on my Terror Alert Scale.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Previewing Men of a Certain Age


The cast of Men of a Certain Age

A warning to men younger than a certain age, watching Men of a Certain Age can feel like getting a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Future. The three lead characters pushing fifty act as worst case scenarios for those of us in the twenty or thirties. There is Ray Romano (Ice Age), recently separated, living in a hotel and has resigned to a life of gambling additions. Andre Braugher (The Mist) manages to have a loving marriage, but that barely makes up for his expanding gut, receding hairline, and the lack of respect that comes along with working at his dad’s dealership. Scott Backula (Quantum Leap) is the playboy of the bunch that has to come to terms with his dream of being a successful actor just isn’t going to happen.

The three college buddies routinely get together to hike, eat and talk about things I fear will happen to me, the copious amounts of creams and pills that need to be taken, working in a dead end job, the prospects of dating in your fifties (granted Ray’s first date is the best episode of the early batch), basically everything I do not want to happen to me, these guys are going through, and it is extremely depressing to watch.

Oddly enough, the most entertaining characters on Men of a Certain Age are the background characters, not the three man one. Another of the better episodes include when Ray spends the night hanging out with his bookie that is always good for some comic relief throughout the early episode. Same goes for his employees at his party supply store and the token white guy who works with Braugher. But they are still not enough of a distraction for men of a younger age who fear of turning into Men of a Certain Age.

Men of a Certain Age airs Mondays at 10:00 on TNT and is preceded by new episodes of The Closer at 9:00.

Sunday, December 06, 2009

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CIX


Quote of the Week: Like, I grew up watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I practiced these moves. I actually have a shot at this. (Casey Cooper, Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins)

Song of the Week: Girlfriend – Matthew Sweet (Trauma)

Big News of the Week: Tiger Woods: When Tiger Woods crashed his car in a post Thanksgiving romp, I could care less and though all the losers refreshing TMZ for updates needed to find something better to do with their time. He didn’t hurt anyone (except himself), he wasn’t drunk, he could easily pay for any damage. As a wise man once said, he didn’t kill nobody, he didn’t rape nobody. We all make mistake, just let him be.

But all that changed when it came out that one of Tiger’s alleged mistresses was one that appeared on Tool Academy. And not even one of the hot chicks. And the irony being that is was the one that stormed off the show when her Tool’s other girlfriend showed up. Apparently she doesn’t mind being the other woman when the dude is loaded. And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, she went on to say that Tiger had a fear that he would walk in on her having sex with Derik Jeter or, wait for it… David Boreanaz. Seriously, the dude from Angel. I don’t even fear walking in on my mistress hooking up with him. This is just the story that keeps on giving.

Now if you excuse me, I have to find something better to do with my life.


Trauma: Holy E.B. Farnum sighting! It took me awhile to recognize him without the stringy hair. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Trauma on iTunes.

Sons of Anarchy: Well that was excited. Sure there were some loose ends I would have liked for them to tie up, but it is hard to complain about the finale. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

Real World-Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins: It is always a sad day when Casey goes home. She is easily the most entertaining reality star MTV has produced this decade even if she participates on a competition show with zero physical prowess. With that said I hope she is on every Challenge for the foreseeable future. You can stream recent episodes over at mtv.com. You can also download Real World-Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins on iTunes.

Survivor: Samoa: Has anyone ever been blindsided more in a season without being the one voted off than Shambo. This is about the fifth time she has been as shocked as the person going home at the outcome of the votes. But Galu will go down as the worst tribe in the history of the show. How do you go into a merge doubling the other tribe and let them vote four of yours straight to make the numbers even? With Shambo on the outs of both tribe, should make for an interesting vote this week. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Survivor on iTunes


Free Download of the Week: 25 Days of Free Christmas Music (Amazon MP3): Amazon is getting into the spirit of giving this holiday season by giving away a new song every day up until Christmas. And for those that missed the first week, each song stays free up until Christmas.

Deal of the Week: Top Holiday Deals: Still looking for a good Christmas gift, Amazon has great deals every hour until it is too late for the gifts to get shipped by Christmas.

Video of the Week: When I released my list of The 100 Hottest Hot Chicks of the 00’s, Rachel Bilson nearly split the list at 51. But that was before the nude scene from an upcoming movie of hers was leaked and surprisingly after seeing this, not only would it not put her higher on my list, but I am not sure if she would even make it if I were to redo it now. Check out the behind the scenes footage to see why (obviously not safe for work):




Next Week Pick of the Week: Men of a Certain Age, Monday at 10:00 on TBS: Look for a full review of the show coming tomorrow.


If you remember back when I asked some of my buddies what The Best New Shows of Fall 2009 were, a couple more recently shared their ballots if you are interested on how the list took shape.

TV Screener

Tapeworthy

Daemon's TV

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Around the Tubes vol. XXXII


I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Alice, Shaquille O’Neal, Chuck, Haven, Community, and Harry Potter.

- One last Alice promo before its premiere this Sunday on Syfy.

Alice: The Queen of Hearts


- Coming tonight to Showtime tonight at 11:00 is Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All-Star Comedy Jam – Live from South Beach hosted by D.L. Hughley for those in need of a laugh.

- Another week, another Chuck promo. Hopefully this over promotion leads to some decent viewership because NBC doesn’t have much going for it these days. And be sure to mark your calendar for January 10 when it does return.

A Whole New Chuck


- Another one of Steven King’s work is coming to television, this time his novella The Colorado Kid is coming to Syfy sometime 2010 under the name Haven.

- Community is getting into the holiday spirit while filming their upcoming episode that will feature someone Chevy Chase should be familier with. Check out this video get get a holiday greeting from the cast and find out who from Chase’s past will be showing up.

Community Celebrations


- Just a reminder that it is Harry Potter for ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas (just do not ask my how Harry Potter is related to Christmas) and will be airing exclusive footage from the upcoming Blu-Ray release of the Ultimate Editions of Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets this Tuesday. For the full rundown of this year’s festivities, check out ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas 2009 Schedule.



Friday, December 04, 2009

I Want My Music Television vol. LXX


There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I thought I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.


Brick by Boring Brick – Paramore



I would say the new Paramore video is Alice in Wonderland on a psychedelic trip, but the original was already that to begin with. And though it may not fit with her persona, Hayley Williams actually looks thoroughly attractive with the blonde hair and summer dress here.


Cousins – Vampire Weekend



When you hear a band is going to name their album Contra, you assume it is some pretentious political statement about the Nicaraguan rebels. But no, Vampire Weekend named their new album after one of the great video games of all time which gave way to the greatest cheat code of all time that, even though I haven’t played the game in almost two decades, I still know by heart.


Give it Up to Me – Shakira featuring Lil Wayne



I’m really not a fan of Shakira’s turn into electronic and Lil’ Wayne is the most overrated rapper of all time, but she really hasn’t looked much better than the two videos from her new album.


Remember December – Demi Lovato



I am not sure what is more disturbing, that Demi Lovato raided Rob Halford’s closet for the performance portion of the video, that she is sporting the Amy Winehouse for the girls night out scenes, or that I even watched it. At any rate, I swear this song was on the Less Than Zero soundtrack even though it actually predates the person singing the song.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

We on Award Tour: 2010 Grammy Awards Nominations


Last year’s Grammy Nomination special was a good watch if not overblown with most performances paying tributes to past winners. This year was as lame as lame gets with no nod to the past except Maxwell’s excellent tribute to Michael Jackson. The Black Eyed Peas sucked massively. Sugarland was bland. And who cares about Nick Jonas and the Association? He and his brothers have only been nominated once and his new band as never played live ever. It would have been fine for the Kids Choice Awards, but not something associated with the Grammy’s. Oh and I would call the LL Cool J opening embarrassing, but this is coming from a guy who stars on an NCIS spin-off, nothing gets less credible than that.

And of course there were the award nominations which may have been the worst collection of artists ever assembled for a Grammy telecast. When they read Song of the Year, if it weren’t for the inclusion of Maxwell, I would have thought it was a VMA nomination. And Record of the Year was even worse because it was the same nominees with the Black Eyed Peas switched out for Maxwell. Best New Artist was conspicuously absent from the show, but I understood why when I saw the actual nominees. Below are some of the major categories and my thoughts (for all 109 categories, including one that has Michael J. Fox, Richard Dreyfuss, Jimmy Carter and Carrie Fisher battling it out, head over to Grammy.com):

Record of the Year
Halo - Beyonce
I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas
Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
Poker Face - Lady Gaga
You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift

Who Will Win: Halo
Who Should Win: Use Somebody

I have a feeling (no crappy song reference intended) that Beyonce is going to go home with more than a few Grammy’s this year (she leads the nominations with ten; but keep in mind there are an absurd amount of R&B categories), they have loved her in the past and with the amount of nominations she garnered, they still do. So what is the dude who wrote the song basically reproduced the same song for Kelly Clarkson and Leona Lewis. Of course, keep in mind the Joe Satriani stealing Viva la Vida won this award last year. Hopefully Use Somebody wins because it was truly the best song of the last twelve months.


Album of the Year
I Am...Sasha Fierce - Beyonce
The E.N.D. - The Black Eyed Peas
The Fame - Lady Gaga
Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King - Dave Matthews Band
Fearless - Taylor Swift

Who Will Win: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Who Should Win: Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King

Remember the good old days when the Grammy’s were considered too old, when Herbie Hancock was beating out Kanye West, Amy Winehouse (or as Ringo Starr says, Amy White House) and Foo Fighters? Now they look like as if MTV were doing the nominations. With any luck everyone else splits the youth vote and the Dave Matthews Band. But then again, the Grammy’s didn’t even bother to put LeRoi Moore in the In Memoriam section last year so I won’t hold my breath.


Best Rock Album
Black Ice - AC/DC
Live From Madison Square Garden - Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
21st Century Breakdown - Green Day
Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King - Dave Matthews Band
No Line on the Horizon - U2

Who Will Win: No Line on the Horizon
Who Should Win: Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King

Conventional wisdom would say that since the Dave Matthews Band was nominated over U2 for Album of the Year they would beat them here, but I wouldn’t be surprised that people vote for U2 here since they weren’t nominated for the big one. Keep in mind U2 nor Green Day, who both have won the award recently, were not nominated for Record of the Year, but Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas were. Really, when was the last U2 record not nominated for that award?


Song of the Year
Poker Face - Lady Gaga & RedOne
Pretty Wings - Hod David & Musze (Maxwell)
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) - Thaddis Harrell, Beyonce Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart
Use Somebody - Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill (Kings of Leon)
You Belong With Me - Liz Rose & Taylor Swift

Who Will Win: Pretty Wings
Who Should Win: Use Somebody

Keep in mind that this is a songwriting award. Poker Face was nominated for a songwriting award. Just let that soak in for a moment. I should be taking this time to laugh at Single Ladies being nominated for a songwriting award, but Poker Face is an even bigger joke to be nominated for a songwriting award.


Best New Artist
Zac Brown Band
Keri Wilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

Who Will Win: Who Knows
Who Should Win: Who Cares

Now I understand why this category wasn’t announced live. And to think, one of these artist can pick up an award previously won by Milli Vanilli. And so what if Silversun Pickups released their second album this year or that Keri Hilson (note that the misspelling of her name was a cut and paste, not my mistake) was been in the biz since 2001.


Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas
We Weren't Born to Follow - Bon Jovi
Never Say Never - The Fray
Sara Smile - Daryl Hall & John Oates
Kids – MGMT

Who Will Win: I Gotta Feeling
Who Should Win: Sara Smile

Yes, that was a song from 1975 being nominated, that is just how bad music was this year.


Best Rap Album
Universal Mind Control - Common
Relapse – Eminem
R.O.O.T.S. - Flo Rida
The Ecstatic - Mos Def
The Renaissance - Q-Tip

Who Will Win: Relapse
Who Should Win: The Renaissance

I doubt he wins, but it is nice to see Q-Tip nominate. Hopefully he does go on another Award Tour. Too bad Kamaal the Abstract didn’t get one too.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Previewing Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura


Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura

I have never been a big fan of conspiracy theories, there are no aliens in Area 51, if you drained Loch Ness you won’t find a pre-historic animal, Bush didn’t down the Twin Towers (although with that said, basketball referees are totally in the tank). That doesn’t mean that I don’t like listening to conspiracy theories and the more out there, the more entertaining like how Woody Harrelson’s father assassinated JFK.

And who better to host a show on conspiracy theories than former Navy Seal turned professional wrestler turned governor turned television host Jesse Ventura. Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura follows “The Body” as his team hunts down the truth behind some conspiracy theories floating around out there including secret societies, 9/11 cover ups, and global warming.

Tonight’s premiere features Ventura’s team as they try to get information on a research center in Alaska that some think the United States military is building a secret government weapon that can control the weather and people’s minds. My theory is that our government has not actually been successful because if they were, they would just brainwash Jesse to believe it wasn’t so to keep other people from discovering it. But anyways.

Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura airs Wednesdays at 10:00 on TruTV.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Tell Your Friend Veronica it’s Time to Celebrate Chanukah


I am not Jewish but I have an uncle who is so I know the inferiority complex one may have celebrating Chanukah over Christmas. That all changed in 1996 when even the good Christian children around the world wanted to celebrate the eight crazy nights thanks to Adam Sandler who proceeded to run down a who’s who of Jew (and one famous non-Jew: O.J. Simpson) on The Chanukah Song part 1. And apparently there were so many Jews in showbiz he recorded two more versions on 1999’s Stan and Judy’s Kid and the soundtrack for his animated holiday movie Eight Crazy Nights to round out the trilogy. And fellow Jew Neil Diamond (who for some reason never got a shout out from Sandler in any of his three versions) even recently did his own version of the song which is this month’s induction into the Scooter Hall of Fame.





Monday, November 30, 2009

ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas 2009 Schedule


As a wise man once told me, this is the most wonderful time of the year. And you can see it in all the Christmas traditions. Let’s face it, Christmas songs and movies are not the best written things ever, but yet each December we enjoy them both with a smile on our faces and not pick them apart like we do non-holiday themed entertainment the rest of the year. I know I will be cozying up next to the fire more than one night with ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas. Here is the complete schedule for the 2009 holidays:

Tuesday, December 1

(7:00-8:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE – Basic Cable Premiere
(10:00 PM – 12:00 AM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE – Encore Presentation

Wednesday, December 2

(7:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) PIXAR SHORT FILMS – Exclusive Television Premiere
(9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) PIXAR SHORT FILMS – Encore Presentation

Thursday, December 3

(6:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS
(8:30 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS – Encore Presentation

Friday, December 4

(7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND
(7:30-11:00 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE

Saturday, December 5

(7:00-8:30 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS – ABC Family Premiere
(8:30-10:30 AM ET/PT) RICHIE RICH’S CHRISTMAS WISH
(10:30 AM-12:30 PM ET/PT) THE DOG WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS
(12:30-4:00 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE
(4:00-8:00 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
(8:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
(11:00 PM – 1:00 AM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 3

Sunday, December 6

(7:00-8:30 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S TWICE UPON A CHRISTMAS – ABC Family Premiere
(8:30-10:30 AM ET/PT) DENNIS THE MENACE CHRISTMAS
(10:30 AM-12:30 PM ET/PT) NAUGHTY OR NICE
(12:30-4:30 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
(4:30-7:30 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
(7:30-11:00 PM ET/PT) – HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE

Monday, December 7

(7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
(7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT) CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) UNACCOMPANIED MINORS – Basic Cable Premiere
(10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST (Animated)

Tuesday, December 8

(7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
(7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND CHRISTMAS TOO
(8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
(9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) A MISER BROTHERS’ CHRISTMAS
(10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR

Wednesday, December 9

(7:00-8:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR
(8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
(9:00-10:30 PM ET/PT) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & The Island of Misfit Toys
(10:30-11:00 PM ET/PT) 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Thursday, December 10

(7:00-8:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS
(10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) A FLINTSTONE CHRISTMAS – ABC Family Premiere

Friday, December 11

(7:00-8:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUSE 2
(10:00 PM-12:00 AM ET/PT) UNACCOMPANIED MINORS

Saturday, December 12

(7:00-7:30 AM ET/PT) THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
(7:30-8:00 AM ET/PT) THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY BOOK II
(8:00-9:00 AM ET/PT) PINOCCHIO’S CHRISTMAS
(9:00-9:30 AM ET/PT) NESTOR, THE LONG-EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY
(9:30-10:00 AM ET/PT) THE STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS SNOW
(10:00-11:00 AM ET/PT) JACK FROST (Animated)
(11:00-11:30 AM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND
(11:30 AM-12:00 PM ET/PT) CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS
(12:00 Noon-2:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH & FROSTY’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
(2:00-3:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR
(3:00-4:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
(4:00-5:00 PM ET/PT) A MISER BROTHERS’ CHRISTMAS
(5:00-6:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
(6:00-8:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUSE 2
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE
(10:00 PM-12:00 AM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE

Sunday, December 13

(7:00-7:30 AM ET/PT) A GARFIELD CHRISTMAS
(7:30-8:00 AM ET/PT) THE LITTLE RASCALS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL – ABC Family Premiere
(8:00-10:00 AM ET/PT) I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS
(10:00 AM-12:00 PM ET/PT) SNOW
(12:00-2:00 PM ET/PT) Snow 2: Brain Freeze
(2:00-4:00 PM ET/PT) A CAROL CHRISTMAS
(4:00-6:00 PM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS
(6:00-8:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE - ABC Family Original Movie Premiere
(10:00 PM-12:00AM ET/PT) SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE

Monday, December 14

(5:00-7:00 PM ET/PT) ELOISE AT CHRISTMASTIME
(7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND THE BLUSTERY DAY – ABC Family Premiere
(7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND TIGGER TOO – ABC Family Premiere
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) MARY POPPINS

Tuesday, December 15

(6:00-7:00 PM ET/PT) Gotta Catch Santa Claus
(7:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & The Island of Misfit Toys
(8:30-10:30 PM ET/PT) Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Wednesday, December 16

(6:00-7:00 PM ET/PT) PINOCCHIO’S CHRISTMAS
(7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
(7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH & CHRISTMAS TOO
(8:00-10:30 PM ET/PT) Happy Feet
(10:30-11:00 PM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND

Thursday, December 17

(6:00-6:30 PM ET/PT) THE STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS SNOW
(6:30-7:00 PM ET/PT) NESTOR, THE LONG EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY
(7:00-8:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST – (Animated)
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST (Live Action)
(10:00 PM-12:00 AM ET/PT) JINGLE ALL THE WAY

Friday, December 18

(7:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) CARS
(10:00 PM-12:00 AM ET/PT) PIXAR SHORT FILMS

Saturday, December 19

(7:00-8:00 AM ET/PT) A FLINTSTONE CHRISTMAS
(8:00-8:30 AM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND THE BLUSTERY DAY
(8:30-10:30 AM ET/PT) JINGLE ALL THE WAY
(10:30 AM-1:00 PM ET/PT) Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
(1:00-3:30 PM ET/PT) Happy Feet
(3:30-6:00 PM ET/PT) CARS
(6:00-8:00 PM ET/PT) PIXAR SHORT FILMS
(8:00-10:30 PM ET/PT) RATATOUILLE – ABC Family Premiere
(10:30 PM-1:00 AM ET/PT) Happy Feet

Sunday, December 20

(7:00-9:00 AM ET/PT) JINGLE ALL THE WAY
(9:00-11:30 AM ET/PT) Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
(11:30 AM-1:30 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 3
(1:30-3:30 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 4: TAKING BACK THE HOUSE
(3:30-6:00 PM ET/PT) THE INCREDIBLES
(6:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) RATATOUILLE
(8:30-11:00 PM ET/PT) THE INCREDIBLES

Monday, December 21

(7:00-9:00 AM PT/ET) Chasing Christmas
(9:00-11:00 AM ET/PT) CHRISTMAS DO-OVER
(11:00 AM-1:00 PM ET/PT) SONS OF MISTLETOE
(1:00-3:00 PM ET/PT) THE CHRISTMAS LIST
(3:00-5:00 PM ET/PT) UNLIKELY ANGEL
(5:00-7:00 PM ET/PT) A CAROL CHRISTMAS
(7:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY
(9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE

Tuesday, December 22

(7:00-9:00 AM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 3
(9:00-11:00 AM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 4: TAKING BACK THE HOUSE
(11:00 AM-1:00PM ET/PT) I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS
(1:00-3:00 PM ET/PT) A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS
(3:00-5:00 PM ET/PT) ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS
(5:00-7:00 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S TWICE UPON A CHRISTMAS
(7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ THE CAT IN THE HAT
(7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT)DR. SEUSS ON THE LOOSE
(8:00-8:30PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ THE GRINCH GRINCHES THE CAT IN THE HAT – ABC Family Premiere
(8:30-11:00 PM ET/PT) WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (Gene Wilder version)

Wednesday, December 23

(7:00-9:00 AM ET/PT) NAUGHTY OR NICE
(9:00-11:00 AM ET/PT) STEALING CHRISTMAS
(11:00 AM-1:00 PM ET/PT) SNOWGLOBE
(1:00-3:00 PM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS
(3:00-5:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY
5:00-7:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE
(7:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) MIRACLE ON 34th STREET
(10:00 PM-12:30 AM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS

Thursday, December 24

(7:00-8:00 AM ET/PT) THE LIFE & ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS
(8:00-8:30 AM ET/PT) THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
(8:30-9:00 AM ET/PT) NESTOR, THE LONG EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY
(9:00-9:30 AM ET/PT) THE LEPRECHAUNS’ CHRISTMAS GOLD
(11:00-11:30 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
(11:30 AM-12:00 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH & CHRISTMAS TOO
(12:00-1:00 PM ET/PT) PINOCCHIO’S CHRISTMAS
(1:00-1:30 PM ET/PT) 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
(1:30-3:30 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH & FROSTY’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
(3:30-5:00 PM ET/PT) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & The Island of Misfit Toys
(5:00-6:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST (Animated)
(6:00-6:30 PM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND
(6:30-7:00 PM ET/PT) 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
(7:00-8:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR
(8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
(9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
(10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) A MISER BROTHERS’ CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 25

(7:00-9:00 AM ET/PT) JACK FROST (Live Action)
(9:00-9:30 AM ET/PT) CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS
(11:00 AM-1:00 PM ET/PT) JINGLE ALL THE WAY
(1:00-3:30 PM ET/PT) WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (Gene Wilder version)
(3:30-6:00 PM ET/PT) MIRACLE ON 34th STREET
(6:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) THE INCREDIBLES
(8:30-11:00 PM ET/PT) THE INCREDIBLES