"Fringe": The pilot

The cast of "Fringe" hopes you'll make them appointment TV. Photo by Fox.com

A disclaimer: I saw the pilot back in July at Comic-Con. (If you don't go, you should REALLY check it out. Tonight, I rewatched and it confirmed what I knew back then: This is a really GOOD show.

Of course it comes from JJ Abrams who knows how to create good shows. See "Lost" and "Alias" and of course "Felicity".

"Fringe" starts with a plane in a really bad electrical storm. Lightening is striking and the plane is jostling everywhere. A nervous passanger is sweating profusely and injects himself with a substance. He then tries to go to the front of the plane and a flight attendant struggles to put him back in his seat and then she sees that he's infected with a virus that makes the skin transparent and what's worse, it's spreading through the plane.

The plane lands safely and all aboard are dead. Agent Olivia Dunham is assigned to the case after struggling with Homeland Security Agent Phillip Broyales. They try to figure out what's going on with the plane. Dunham is keeping a secret, she's having an affair with another agent. After her boyfriend, Agent Scott, is hurt, she looks for the one person who can help him. That leads her to mad scientist Dr. Walter Bishop and his son Peter.

Peter is in Iraq brokering shady deals when Olivia asks for his help in getting his father to share the information needed to help Agent Scott. The Trail leads to a powerful company, Massive Dynamic, and it's liason Nina Sharp who as a secret or two of her own.

Bishop then tries some "fringe" science on Olivia to allow her to get into Agent Scott's head to see the face of the person who injured him. After the guy is captured, we learn that Agent Scott is actually a DOUBLE AGENT and a bad guy. He's killed and Dunham is offered a her own team to investigate paranormal activity. Meanwhile, we learn that Massive Dynamics has claimed Agent Scott's body and that he can be questioned after being dead for five hours!

That being said, the show seems to be a gorier version of "X-Files" and a little "La Femme Nikta" involved.

I'm onboard, for now. I hope you will be too.

Gossip Girl

The old gang is back together. Yay. CW.com

After last week's great start, "Gossip Girl" continued its reign as one of the best shows on TV. Although, I'm getting a touch worried because this week it started veering into soap opera territory.

Spotted: Nate Archibald trying to raise money to keep his family in the style they are accustomed to. Sadly, he's become a himbo for a duchess.

Spotted: Chuck Bass having a heart that beats only for Blair. Unfortunately, he's not interested.

Spotted: Vanessa's heart shattering after being stood up by Nate. Too bad she doesn't know that he's almost broke and he's in way over his head.

Spotted: Serena and Dan making out almost the entire episode. This is getting really old.

Spotted: Jenny Humphrey only in one scene and doing almost nothing. Actually this IS a good thing.

Spotted: A face off between Blair and the Duchess. It ends in a draw when Professor Himbo Nate slipping her his candlestick in the library (yeah, I went there).

Spotted: Nate and Jenny's dad having a midlife crisis. Fortunately it's passing when he realized that he's missing his kids lives.

Until next time...

xoxo

me.

What I'm watching for the fall

"The Cleveland Show" is one of the new entries to my Fall TV lineup. Photo by Fox.com

Last week, the Fall TV 2008 rolled out with "Gossip Girl," "90210," "Prison Break" and "America's Next Top Model," and over the next few weeks more TV shows will be competing for your attention. After reading through the entertainment bible and after careful consideration from the thoughts and opinions from my friends, here's my line up.

Sunday:
"The Amazing Race," "Desperate Houseswives" to be watched live. To be DVR'd "Family Guy" and "The Cleveland Show."
Why you should watch: "TAR" is one of the best reality shows on TV. It's like traveling all over the world without leaving the comfort of your home. Plus, host Phil Keoghan is the sexiest reality host on TV. Last season, "Desperate Housewives" got its groove back with the addition of Dana Delaney to the cast and this season is the five year jump, so I can't wait to see what happened in-between.

Monday:
"Gossip Girl," "Heroes" and "Prison Break" (in the winter "24"). I'm dropping "Chuck." To be DVR'd : nothing. Monday is going to be the busiest and best night of the week as "GG", "Heroes" all fight for that teen-age, hip, cool audience.
"GG" is this generations "BH, 90210" only with Prada and Kate Spade instead of shoulder pads and tube skirts. "Heroes" had an awful last season. The writer's strike probably didn't help things but it just seemed as if it lost its way. Then, we managed to see hour 1 at Comic-Con and was blown away. So I'm in for now, but it's on probation. I skipped a great big portion of "Prison Break" last season but I managed to enjoy the premiere last week so I'm in again, but it, too, is on probation. I'm a little concerned about the writers of "24" delaying production but I'm sure they will get back on track. I was this close to DVR'ing "Dancing with the Stars" to see if Cloris Leachman or Susan Lucci would break a hip but decided that it wasn't worth my time.

Tuesday:
"90210" (on probation), "Fringe" "Law & Order SVU". To DVR: "The Biggest Loser: Families." I got hooked on America's trendiest ZIP code last week, but we'll see if they can still deliver the heat in week two.

"Fringe" is amazing. Here, take a peek.



See? I knew you'd like it.
As far as "SVU" as long as Mariska and Christopher are on, then I'm watching. I love their chemistry and although the cases can be a big gruesome, it's still worth watching.

Wednesday:

"America's Next Top Model", "Stylista," "Project Runway" to DVR: "Deal or No Deal". Tyra is a superstar in her own mind. But the girl can model her butt off. The Tyra wannabees always come with their share of drama. This season we have a transexual and an Asian woman who might win the whole thing. The rest, I'm kinda meh on . "Stylista" is from the same producers so I imagine it'll be some of the same over the top drama we're used to. There are no words to describe the wonders of "Project Runway." And while this season may not have the dramatic characters we're used to, this is a strong group of designers. I'm looking for Korto, Kenley and Terri to be in the final three but I could be wrong. "Deal or No Deal" may actually give away the blasted $1 Million now.

Take a look at the first winner.



While it's exciting and all, I don't need to see it every single week.

Thursday
My 8 p.m. hour is extremely competitive!! I'm watching "Survivor" live, DVR'ing "Ugly Betty" to be watched at 9 p.m. I would LOVE to catch Smallville this season since they will be featuring the Justice League and the Legion of Superheroes but I can't watch everything. And I'm adding an old friend "ER" back into the mix. I left "ER" when Dr. Romano got his arm cut off by a helicopter only one season later to have another helicopter land on him and kill him. It had become tired and too soap-opera-y to me. But now, I'm hooked again by watching old episodes in the gym in the mornings.

Friday: What I'm watching: Absolutely nothing. There's noting ever REMOTELY interesting on this day to me. So I might use this evening to catch up with the shows I missed during the week.

Saturday: The same. Absolutely nothing.

So there you have it.

Is there something I missed that I should be watching?

How Stella lost her groove: "Project Runway"

A badly constructed outfit didn't impress the judges and Stella was sent home. Photo by BravoTV.com

This season of "PR" is rocking a little less now that leather/biker chick Stella got Auf'd. It's sad too because she was showing potential. This week's challenge: Creating a look for Diane von Furstenberg.

Some people did an excellent job. Kenley's one piece dazzled although she had to fight for it. Korto, I think should have pulled it out, but alas, nerdy Leeanne pulled out another win and is emerging as the one to watch.

Jarrell, Blaine and Teri all got a pass and it came down to Joe and Stell and poor Stella was given the boot.

Episode grade: B+

America's Next Top Model

Poor Sharuan. We barely knew you, but what we saw was stank. Photo by CW.com

And so we're off. Tonight, Cycle 11 (Can you believe it?) of "America's Next Top Model" began and based on what I saw tonight, it's going to be one heck of a season.

This season's theme: The future of modeling. And they rode that theme to the hilt as Tyra and the Jays (Mr. and Miss Jay) were all dolled up in silver clothes, bad wigs and tons of make-up. It was hy-sterical. I don't mean to be cruel, but after Tyra told us all to kiss her fat ass I backed off on her weight but these clothes she's wearing isn't doing her body any favors.

I 'm loving Sheena an Asian girl who is straight up hood, Marjorie and Jocelyn, who's auditioned 30 times! (Did anyone else cringe when she said she was from "Lucky Louisiana" especially now?)

I hate Clark and I'm on the fence about Elina because she seems very predatory.

Isis is the best of the bunch but sadly, she won't win because she's a pre-op transexual.

This week's challenge, conveying different issues in the world today. Isis rocked her photo and some people's photos were a little crazy. Saleish errr... Neikesha argued with the judges and that's a no-no and found herself in the bottom with Sharaun. But luckily, she had class enough to she was sorry to the other girls.

Episode grade: A+

"90210" : The Pilot...

AnnaLynne McCord is a good actress. Just not on "90210." Photo by The CW.com

After all the promos and weeks of waiting, we finally got a peek at "90210." Was it worth the wait? Maybe.

Here's the good: The show is edgier. (In the first 10 minutes, a girl gives a boy's privates a mouth hug in the parking lot), and it deals with today's issues.

The producers were also smart enough to cast Jennie Garth as the guidance counselor of the school to have a tie to the old show and Nat is back as owner of the Peach Pit. (yay!). They also brought Shannen Doherty back as Brenda (note, it's very clear she showed up for the paycheck and nothing else).

Here's the bad: There are way too many contrived situations. For example, one girl has drug habit and needs money. So her rich friend happens to walk away from her purse and the purse contains the money needed.

Dixon is African-American. His family is white. Not ONE character on the show reacted with shock and surprise. No one questioned why this white family has this black child. What is this "Webster?"

The show is disturbing to me because ALL of the actresses are way too skinny. Doesn't anyone eat in "90210"?

The first episode is about the Wilson family from Kansas moving into the ZIP code to take care of their boozy grandma. (Actress Jessica Walter is wonderful in this role). The family, wide-eyed Annie (Shenae Grimes), her adoptive African-American brother Dixon (Tristan Wilds) and parents Harry (Rob Estes) who's the new principal of West Beverly High and wife Debbie (Lori Loughlin) have a hard time adjusting to how people do things in California. At school both Annie and Dixon try to make friends quickly. Annie falls in with spoiled, rich Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) and quickly learns her friendship comes with a cost. And Naomi's boyfriend Ethan (Dustin Milligan,) who's torn about who he wants to be. Annie also wants to be friends with Silver (Jessica Stroup) a quirky outsider who has a YouTube-like broadcast that most of the school watches. (hmm, shades of "Gossip Girl" here?). And Silver happens to be Kellie Taylor's (Jennie Garth) younger half sister.


In the two-hour premier we have hook ups and break ups, two blasts from the pasts, a baby who was given up for adoption, porn and more.

While the show isn't as sweet and sunny as the original, it might be worth adding to your guilty pleasure list. Some of the actors are a bit green and some have had better roles. For example, AnneLynne McCord set the screen on fire as Eden on "nip/tuck" and here she's barely smouldering. I know you can really go for it on cable but this is just dry and uninspired. She look bored instead of saucy and that's a problem for the hot, rich girl on this show.

Some storylines I'm not invested in yet such as the girl who has a drug problem. She indicates that they can't pay the rent, but she spends $200 on drugs? It doesn't make sense. And finally, this seems like "Gossip Girl" lite. If I were the CW, I'd put this show on after "GG" and they'd have the teen/young adult/female/gay audience locked up.

Prison Break

OK. I hopped off the "Prison Break" train last year because the story got too convoluted and crazy. But after watching tonight's episode, I'm back on board.

We had the return of the presumed dead Sara. The demise of the prison break tattoo. The arrest of all the major players and then the reuniting of the gang. This time, they are going to bring down The Company AKA the big bads of the last three seasons.

But my favorite thing: cannibalism. Yep, T-bag ATE the guy who he was crossing the boarder with. And of course, there was this bad joke "What's the matter man, you eat some bad Mexican?" Um, yeah.

Despite that, it was still fun to watch.

Why I love "Gossip Girl"

Oh Blair and Chuck, you're so devlishly bad. And that's why I love you. Photo by CW.com.

After a long and very boring summer, the fall has finally arrived! Tonight, "Gossip Girl" returned and it arrived with guns blazing.

Fake romances, reunions and a bone lace dress made for an interesting episode. We kicked off the season with the end of summer in where else: The Hamptons. Serena and Nate are in the middle of a fake romance. She's mourning her breakup with Dan. He's shaking up with a married woman. Meanwhile Chuck Bass is entertaining himself with the local talent while missing Blair.

Blair spent her summer in Tuscany waiting for Chuck who never arrived and she's po'd. Back in the city, Dan's been hooking up with chick after chick. Young Jenny's been busy at an internship with Blair's mom (imagine that!) and making pretty dresses.

The Head Bitch in Charge at Blair's mom's company is too caught up in herself to see Jenny's talent and uses her power to make Jenny miserable.

But all of this changes during the White Party. No, not THIS one!
Chuck wants to get back with Blair but she's got a new boy toy with a secret. I thought he was totally gay but learned that he's actually a British lord which makes Chuck very, very sad.

Jenny makes a splash at the White Party and even catches the eye of a rival designer and that in turns makes the HIBIC at the design company finally notice her.

Nate pines for the married woman and he and Serena tries to make her jealous and it works. So much that they plan a secret meeting.

Blair and Chuck almost connect but Chuck can't say I love you. But Serena and Dan reunite and that's what's important to me.

Has "Dancing With the Stars" jumped the shark?

Ted McGinley is one of the "stars" that will be featured this season. Photo by ABC.com

A disclaimer: I've never seen a single episode of this show. That being said, I might have to watch this season. Seriously. I want to see how far down the D-list this show can go.

Personally, I think it's finally jumped the shark with the inclusion of Ted McGinely. If you don't know who he is, trust me, you've seen him repeatedly. For some reason, this man has made a career of joining shows that are on their last legs and I think this show might be on it.

This season's "stars" include: Lance Bass (who I used to like but now, not so much), Kim Kardashian (who is famous for no reason except for a skanky sex tape with Brandy's brother) and Cloris Leachman who I was shocked to find was still alive. (Any guess on whether Mary Tyler Moore or Valarie Harper might be on next season?) And of course, my fave: Susan Lucci. I was so wondering why Toni Braxton was on the list since she has a well-known heart disease problem. If she keels over, would that make good TV? I don't know???
I also have issue of WHY Lance is with a female partner. He's gay people! Couldn't America handle seeing him dance with a dude? I think so. Plus it's a DANCE competition! I'm surprised that GLAAD hasn't jumped all over this one.

Keeping an eye on Gustav

Gustav is going to be bad unless a miracle happens. Video by Hulu.com

This week, my life got thrown for a loop again as changes were announced at my day job. I'm wondering when this is going to end so I can go back to life as I know it and I'm also wondering how much longer can I continue. That being said, depending on what happens, this blog *might* have to go on hiatus. (I pray not, but we'll see). Meanwhile, I'll continue as long as I can.

Are you ready to move into "90210"?

The cast of "90210" is ready for you. But the question is? Are we ready for them? Photo by the CW.com.

I'm going to admit it. I'm going to check into "90210." After all they've been bombarding us with commericials for weeks now. Curiously, they haven't sent out tapes to TV critics which makes me nervous because that says to me that the show either a) stinks or b) stinks.

However, I thought the first show a) stank and b) stank but there was a trainwreck-y quality about it. Plus add the back stage drama of Shannen Doherty and that made me watch more. Both Shannen and Jennie Garth are cameo-ing in this version but alas, Tori Spelling is not.

The new premise has a new family moving in and trying to fit in with the Snobs of Beverly Hills and because this is the 2008, they have a black adoptive son. While I find this wrinkle interesting, couldn't they have, oh, I don't know, a sucessful black family LIVE in Beverly Hills? Black people along with Asians and Latinos DO have rich people in their race so it wouldn't have been so much of a stretch.

Of course it would have been cliched to have the black family a) a rapper's family, b) a former athlete's family c) an actor's family so I guess this is the best they could do.

I also think the CW is making a BIIIG mistake by not putting this show immediately after "Gossip Girl" because it's the SAME audience. (Which if you're not watching GG you are sooooo two years ago.

It's time for the "Amazing Race"!!!!

Can Anita and Arthur survive "The Amazing Race"? We'll see. Photo by CBS.com

Toda the cast of the latest installment of "The Amazing Race" was revealed. On first glance, this looks to be a good crew. I'm so glad CBS didn't give up on this show. For me, it's like traveling but in the comfort of your own home.

The race is grueling and stressful and I'm always amazed at the people who do this. My partner (and soon to be husband) tried out with our nephew last year but alas, no call back.

My partner would be great at it because he's good at solving problems and has an analytical mind. I wouldn't be because I tend to fall apart at stress and have to much of a fear gene.

But trust me when I say, I won't miss an episode!

War is hell...

Thank you Kathy Griffin for lifting the spirits of our brave men and women in the military. Photo by BravoTV.com.

This week, "My Life on the D-List" took a serous turn as Kathy took time out of her quest for the A-list to bring a little joy to our injured men and women.

Think what you will about Kathy, at least she took the time to care. That's more than a lot of celebrities do living their lives. I was shocked to learn, however, the length of time the men and women have to spend at the hospital. Can you imagine having a body part blown off and having to spend days, weeks and even months in the hospital while the rest of America is at Starbucks having a latte?

I'm not a flag waver but I am so proud of America and how these people put themselves on the line so I don't have to worry about being bombed at Ralphs or having to wake up to screams as my village is being decimated by enemy soldiers.

I know a few people in the military including Mr. Wong and I have to say the next time I see him, I'm just going to hug him and thank him for all he's done for me and for our country.

But back to "MLOTDL," Kathy spend the day at Walter Reed Hospital and while the hospital has had it's share of problems the side we saw were people being well care for and being nurtured back to health.

My heart broke when one guy who had both of his lower limbs blown off after decades in the military said he had a bad day the day before the visit and didn't sleep well because he had phantom pains in his limbs.

You could tell that Kathy was barely keeping to together and finally broke down out of sight of the guys. I think it's at this moment we've seen her at her most human. Most people see KG as this shrill attention starved harpy but for me, I saw her fighting to give the residents of Walter Reed at least one good day.

It's Bravo so "MLOTDL" will repeat so catch this one if you can.

Do NOT try this at home

This made the arteries to my heart hurt. Paula Deen should be stopped.

Worst. Elimination. Ever.

Kelly. I can't believe they chose you to leave the runway. Photo by BravoTV.com

I'm beginning to question if the folks at "Project Runway" are making the right decisions. Tonight they sent one of the best designers home because they questioned her taste.

This week's challenge design an outfit for Brooke Shield's character on "Lipstick Jungle." The designers had to pair off and Jerele and Stella IMHO had the best design of the evening. But where did they finish? Second.

And is it me or is Michael Koors being extra bitchy with a side of tool? No. Discuss.

Next week: Drag queens!

Y'all not going to believe this one....

Isis is a contestant on Cycle 11 of "America's Next Top Model." Photo by CWTV.com

Us Weekly revealed that one of the contestants in this season of "ANTM" is transgender. I honestly don't know how I feel about this. On one hand, I'm glad Tyra is giving people an opportunity to model but on the other, I wonder if this will open doors for others really, or will this be just "great TV."

America, while progressing, still isn't the great melting pot that it claims to be and I wonder if this poor girl's dreams will be crushed on national TV just for the sake of good TV.

I don't know but it's another reason to watch.

Where's Vic?.... coming soon to my TV

My friend Jump the Snark has been after me to watch this show. I tried and couldn't get into it. Of course, now that we're about to hit the final season on Sept. 2. I'm interested. Everyone I know who watches the show raves on it. Of course, I'm going to give it a try and if I like it, I know he probably owns every season so I can catch up that way. With the day job getting more demanding and the second job to start any second, my time is going to be limited but I will give it a shot because a) I trust him and b) it looks like great TV

Hear that?

That sound is me sqeeeing over the addition of "The Whit Shadow" to hulu.com



I used to love watching this show on Monday nights. I even thought I could play basketball for a time. What's also interesting about this show is that Kevin Hooks and Thomas Carter are now some of the most sought out directors on TV shows today.

Really Rick Sanchez?

Some people, love him, others hate him. Me? I'm on the fence. Photo from CNN.com.


On the weekends, I usually have CNN on in the background but lately, one journalist has had me sitting up and taking notice: No, it's not Anderson Cooper but it's Rick Sanchez. He's brash and some may find him boorish but I like his style.

He's been running these reports called the League of First Time Voters which he talks to people who are just deciding to vote for the first time. Today he had journalists from the Unity 08 convention (unfortunatly we have NO idea who these people were or how they were selected) and they pretty much said next to nothing about how they were voting or why they were voting.

Oh and if you're interested, Sanchez is on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace (for real!)

Another legend gone: Issac Hayes is dead

It makes me sad to annouce that Issac Hayes, (Shaft, Chef) is gone. Cycle images.

Today the second job kept me pretty busy and so I didn't have time today to really watch the news. I had the Olympics on in the background and so imagine my shock when I heard that Issac Hayes had died.

The irony, Bernie Mac and Issac had JUST finished this movie which is scheduled to be released later on this year.

Again, both will be missed.