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Fall watch list: 14 TV turn-ons | |
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Fall TV Headlines & Buzz |
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Television
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Clear365 Fall TV Guide: 14 TV turn-ons
Series premiere: Thursday, September 24, 8pm
ABC
Cast: Joseph Fiennes, Sonya Walger, Dominic Monaghan, John Cho
When the entire world is given a glimpse into the future due to a mysterious black-out, each person sees a series of events in his or her life that would take place six months later. As people begin to piece together their visions and attempt to pinpoint the cause of this mysterious phenomenon, it leaves many people wondering whether their own destinies can be changed, and what affect those changes could have on others. With an ensemble cast like this, we're definitely looking forward to 'FlashForward'!
Monday - Friday, 10pm
NBC
Cast: Jay Leno
Following the end of his 17-year tenure with 'The Tonight Show,' Jay Leno made his highly-hyped transition from late night to prime time on Monday, September 14; more than 18 million viewers tuned in to catch the debut. Though critics, in general, wrote it off as "snooze-inducing," Leno's new show was also instantly familiar -- and for many longtime viewers, that's not a bad thing: As well as introducing new comedy sketches in the weeks to come, fans can expect Jay to continue his comfortable, tried-and-true classics (Jaywalking, Headlines, etc.). Many of us wonder if this'll just be another 'Tonight,' but Leno says his new show will feature more variety-style elements.
Thursdays, 9:30pm
NBC
Cast: Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, Gillian Jacobs, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie
When fast-talkin' lawyer Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) finds his degree's been revoked, he ends up back in school at Greendale Community College surrounded by misfits. With help from his fellow classmates Pierce (Chevy Chase), Troy (Donald Glover), Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) and Annie (Alison Brie), Winger forms a Spanish study group (despite the fact that his command of the language is anything but good) in an effort to seduce classmate Britta (Gillian Jacobs). If you're a fan of Chevy Chase -- who plays a retired moist-towelette mogul -- and 'The Soup's' Joel McHale, this one's a must-see.
4. 'Grey's Anatomy'
Season premiere: Thursday, September 24, 9pm
ABC
Cast: Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, Eric Dane, Katherine Heigl
'Grey's' had us bawling our eyes out all the way through last season's finale when we found out the severely mangled 'John Doe' was our beloved George O'Mally (T.R. Knight), and Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) regained her memory after her brain surgery only to collapse again. Get ready to break out the tissue box: We suspect series creator Shonda Rhimes won't let us off the hook that easily in season 6; the premiere alone -- set to fill us in on the fates of George, Izzie and the rest of the Seattle Grace gang is likely to be a tear-jerker. With Knight's confirmed departure, Heigl's extended leave of absence and Pompeo's maternity leave, we're already expecting big changes; rumor has it the down economy's hit Seattle Grace, too, and we might even see some of our favorite docs let go. We are, however, very excited to find out what becomes of Christina and Owen's budding romance, and whether a marriage will finally play out for Meredith and Derek.
Series premiere: Wednesday, September 23, 9:30pm
ABC
Cast: Courteney Cox, Brian Van Holt, Dan Byrd, Christa Miller
Can a woman over a certain age be a mom, a successful career woman and still be on the prowl? In this new comedy, recently divorced single mother Jules Cobb (Courteney Cox) finds herself facing the realities of getting back in the dating game in her 40s -- except she has no game. With creator Bill Lawrence ('Spin City,' 'Scrubs') and executive producers/real-life husband-and-wife David Arquette and Courteney Cox at the helm, we're expecting good things from 'Cougar Town.'
6. '90210'
Tuesdays, 8pm
The CW
Cast: Rob Estes, Lori Loughlin, AnnaLynne McCord, Shenae Grimes, Jennie Garth
The former 'Beverly Hills 90210' got an edgier facelift last season with a shortened title, new characters and guest appearances by original cast members including Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty. Now the CW revamp follows the lives of six West Beverly High School teens, in particular Annie and Dixon Mills, who recently moved from Kansas, and their struggles adjusting to life in the glitzy ZIP code. The first-season finale ended with explosive cliff-hangers that kept viewers wondering what was to become of Adrianna, who just gave birth at 16; Silver, who suffered from a bipolar breakdown; and Annie, who in the last scene, was involved in a messy hit-and-run accident. Needless to say, we can expect lots more teenage debauchery, and more breakdowns, in season 2.
Wednesdays, 9pm
Fox
Cast: Jane Lynch, Kevin McHale, Amber Riley,Chris Colfer, Jayma Mays
When the pilot episode of 'Glee' first aired back in May, responses were mixed: Some viewers and critics just didn't know what to make of a musical-comedy-drama revolving around the lives of the students in a Midwestern high-school glee club and their (mostly) clueless teachers. Four months later, there's still no easy explanation. Created in part by Ryan Murphy ('Nip/Tuck') and originally envisioned as a movie, 'Glee' manages to find quirkiness in stereotypical high-school characters (the Jock, the Nerd, the Cheerleader, etc.). The show's humor, too, is on the quirky/self-deprecating/edgy side. And while there are plenty of full-length musical numbers, don't mistake this for another 'High School Musical.' Songs range from show-tunes standards to classic-rock anthems to Rihanna chart-toppers. The only reason not to watch? It might hit too close to home.
8. 'Modern Family'
Series premiere: Wednesday, September 23, 9pm
ABC
Cast: Ed O'Neill, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Julie Bowen, Sofia Vergara
'Modern Family' is a new mockumentary following the everyday lives of three modern-day American families, each with different backgrounds, as they are filmed for a reality-style TV series in The Netherlands. Jay (Ed O'Neill) is always mistaken to be the father of his much-younger second wife, while Jay's daughter Claire (Julie Bowen) and her husband Phil yearn for a more open relationship with their three kids, and Jay's openly gay son Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and his partner Cameron adopt a baby girl from Vietnam. With a cast -- and premise -- like this, we'll be surprised if 'Modern Family' doesn't become a big hit.
Series premiere: Monday, September 28, 9pm
NBC
Cast: Cliff Curtis, Derek Luke, Anastasia Griffith
'E.R.' meets 'Emergency' on this slick action-drama, which tracks a team of highly trained paramedics as they treat injury victims in the initial moments of tragedy. The show's ceaseless explosions, vehicle crashes, hovering helicopters, slo-mo editing and over-the-top background music and voiceovers at times make it feel more like a Michael Bay blockbuster than a weekly TV series. (And are these emergency medical procedures really covered in the EMT first-responders' training guide? That would explain why ambulance pick-ups are so expensive.) Realism aside, 'Trauma' could be just what the doctor ordered for adrenaline junkies in search of a new favorite show.
Tuesdays, 8pm
NBC
Cast / Trainers: 16 contestants; Jillian Michaels, Bob Harper
It's true that these two-hour episodes require a significant commitment, both in terms of time and the fact that first-hour action is pretty much limited to obese strangers working up a sweat. For its eighth season, though, 'Loser' is giving viewers another reason to tune in: It's upped not only contestants' excess bodyweight, but their emotional baggage, as well. The new season, which focuses again on singles rather than couples, is "all about second chances": One contestant, for example, lost her family in a tragic car accident and wants to start a new life; another is last season's heftiest 'Loser,' back to continue his weight-loss adventure. And perhaps most intriguing is Miss Shay Sorrells -- at 476 pounds, the heaviest 'TBL' contestant ever -- who's hoping to find "redemption from her dark past" via slim-down. All are competing for the show's $250,000 grand prize -- and, of course, the opportunity to be screamed at by Jillian on national TV.
11. 'The Forgotten'
Tuesdays, 10pm
ABC
Cast: Christian Slater, Heather Stephens, Tyler Davies
On this Jerry Bruckheimer-produced drama, a band of "citizen" detectives dedicates itself to cracking unsolved crimes: clue-less murders and missing-persons cases that law enforcement professionals gave up on years ago. But these amateur answer-seekers aren't doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. Each member of Chicago's so-called "Forgotten Network" has a personal reason for getting involved. (Christian Slater's character, Alex Donovan, for example, is an ex-cop whose life fell apart after his 11-year-old daughter's abduction.) Sound like your standard cold-case-of-the-week series? There's a twist: In a 'Lovely Bones' spin, every episode is narrated by its unseen victim, who watches over Alex & team as they cobble its path back from Limbo. Yes, 'The Forgotten' has issues: a penchant for melodrama (probably), cast shake-ups (already) and a lousy time slot (definitely), among others. But we like the concept, and we like Christian Slater. So damn the drawbacks (and critics) and give it a shot.
Thursdays, 10pm
The CW
Cast: Ian Somerhalder, Candice Accola, Steven R. McQueen, Nina Dobrev
'The Vampire Diaries,' a television adaptation of L.J. Smith's 1991 horror trilogy, centers around 17-year-old Elena Gilbert, who falls in love with Stefan Salvatore, the strangely mysterious new boy at school. Little does Elena know that Stefan and his older brother Damon are at war for Elena's soul -- and for the souls of her family and friends. For 'Twilight' fans, this might just be the thing to hold you through the unbearable wait for 'New Moon.' And beside, what could possibly make for better TV than a love triangle between a high-school girl and two sexy vampire brothers?
13. 'Shark Tank'
Sundays, 9pm
ABC
Cast / 'The Sharks': Real-estate investor Barbara Corcoran, fashion mogul Daymond John, financial expert Kevin O'Leary, technology innovator Robert Herjavec, infomercial king Kevin Harrington
If you love a good shark week (and who doesn't?) this one's for you. Producer Mark Burnett -- who, thanks to successes including 'Survivor' and 'The Apprentice,' knows from savvy pitching -- is the man behind the remake of this popular British reality series, in which "inspired" entrepreneurs looking for funds to launch or expand their businesses present ideas to a panel of five deep-pocketed, would-be investor-judges. But here's the fun part: These "judges" not only approve or deny entrepreneurs' money requests, they also compete with one another to invest in the best/most potentially lucrative ideas -- and haggle with the pitching businessmen/women over what they'll get in return for footing the bills. As one might expect, ideas run the spectrum from boneheaded to brilliant.
Series premiere: November 3, 8pm
ABC
Cast: Elizabeth Mitchell, Logan Huffman, Scott Wolf, Morena Baccarin
Everything eventually comes around again, especially '80s TV shows: Like NBC's then-groundbreaking sci-fi 1983 miniseries (and short-lived follow-up series), this "re-imagining" of 'V' tells the story of an alien civilization that comes to Earth in peace -- but not really. In the 2009 version, 'Lost' star Elizabeth Mitchell is FBI counter-terrorism agent Erica Evans, the first human to realize these alleged good-guy E.T.s in fact have pretty evil intentions. And news anchor Chad Decker (Scott Wolf) is dying to get an exclusive with the aliens' hottie leader, no matter what it takes. While you're waiting for the new 'V' to premiere, why not refresh your memory and watch the original again? You've probably still got the VHS tapes stashed away somewhere.
More Fall TV highlights: Beyond the Big 5 networks
Sunday, July 26, 2009
10 Items: Easy ways to keep your stress at bay
1. Spend a week without TV
We know you can't get enough summer reruns, but maybe it's time to turn off the tube. We hate to break it to ya, but TV programming isn't all it's cracked up to be. These days, it seems the best we can expect is some whacked-out reality-show nut case (ahem, 'The Bachelor') that gets our blood boiling and catty 'ANTM' wannabes squealing about anything and everything -- even '24' is giving us high blood pressure. And as much as we can't wait to kick back on the couch with our remote after a long day, our brains could definitely use a break. Trade in your television for a week of something more rewarding instead: Read a book, go for a walk, work out at the gym or cook a nice meal with a few friends -- the possibilities are endless! We promise you won't miss your TV one bit ... besides, we know you've got a DVR.
2. Do stress-relieving exercises
Everyone's got their own "Joe in Accounting," that guy you wish you could just implant your fist into his face to make him stop talking. But since we're not advocates of inflicting violent behavior on living beings -- not even Joe -- we suggest alleviating your stress on inanimate objects, instead. Try this easy exercise to release some of that pent-up stress: First, stand about three feet from a wall (you'll have to adjust the distance for your specific height). Reaching out with both arms, lean at an angle into the wall and press with all your might; your body should form a triangle with the wall and the floor. Keep your feet locked on the floor so your Achilles tendons get a really good stretch. The further you stretch and harder you press, the more tension you'll release from your hamstrings. (Did you know your hamstrings are one of the first muscle groups to store tension? Now you do.)
3. Soak in a hot bath
Ever consider a bubbly to chase away your woes? No, we don't mean drowning your sorrows in Champagne. Sometimes the best solution to a stressful day is taking a nice relaxing bubble bath. Add music, candles and maybe some wine or hot chocolate and just revel in the calm. Afterwards, you can watch those worries run down the drain along with your left-over bubbles. We're pretty sure you'll feel a whole lot better -- and have much softer skin.
4. S-L-O-W down
Let's face it, the rat race is taking its toll on our mental health. Really, when was the last time you stopped to smell the roses? If your response indicates circa 1989, then we're going to have to stage an intervention. Stop whatever it is you're doing (yes, that evens includes putting down the BlackBerry) and listen up: A stressed mind tends to run in circles. If you take the time to slow down your pace, you'll begin to feel a lot more relaxed. That's not only good for your overall well-being, it'll help you think more clearly, too.
5. Laugh
Whoever said "laughter is the best medicine" was onto something -- there's no antidote to the pressures of life like a good hearty laugh. And the great thing about laughter is it's not too hard to come by. Some of our favorite ways to find the funny stuff: (1) Have a comedy night -- an entire evening watching funny films or comedians on DVD; (2) grab a bite or a drink with the friend who always makes you crack up; (3) keep a humor journal to write down every hilarious thing that happens to you during the day, or quote you overhear; or (4) visit one of the many online joke sites each morning to put you in a good mood. Whatever you decide, have your first laugh on us! (Please note that we don't suggest trying any of the funny stress-relief tips on this page at home.)
6. Take an entire night to yourself
In today's hectic world of "people to see, places to be," finding time for yourself can be quite a challenge. When the going gets rough, though, get going on a night of uninterrupted bliss -- doing absolutely nothing. Lounge around in your PJ's, order in, rent a movie, do whatever your heart desires. If you want to dress up (or down, as the case may be) like Tom Cruise in 'Risky Business' and slide across your living-room floor, we will by no means try to stop you. In all seriousness, taking a night off can really help release tension. So don't hesitate to pencil -- scratch that -- Sharpie some time in for yourself.
7. Treat yourself to a mini vacation
We all need a break from the nine-to-five sometimes and we shouldn't feel bad about it. Unfortunately, we don't all have the luxury of jetting off for a two-week vacation in the Bahamas. But you should never cheat yourself out of a mini vacation from time to time. And by "vacation," we're not saying you need to go all-out with a five-page itinerary filled with activities galore: We simply mean a time for you to relax. So if spending an afternoon frolicking among the monkeys at the local zoo makes you happy, hey, who are we to judge?
8. Spearmint oil to the rescue!
What could be better than smelling like roses? How about smelling like fresh mint? When your mind is tired and in need of a picker-upper, dab a little spearmint oil on your temples and the back of your neck -- known as an all-natural stress-reliever and remedy for headaches, migraines and fatigue, it'll have you smelling and feeling like a million bucks in no time. An added benefit: Spearmint oil is also super useful as a cure for digestive problems (i.e. constipation, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea), as it helps relax the stomach muscles, too. This one smells like winner to us!
9. Exercise
We know this one actually requires some work, but as much as we'd like to avoid it, regular exercise can do wonders for the mind and body. Some of us find exercising more enjoyable than others, but there are options for everyone. If running on a treadmill at the gym makes you feel like a hamster, be creative and try something else: Ride a bike, go for a hike with your dog, try roller skating with friends. Even playing Nintendo's Wii Fit and other fun, sports-themed video games can make you break a sweat. Need a place to start? Just jogging in place or doing jumping jacks while you watch your favorite TV show can be a great beginning. Whatever your activity of choice, keep at it and you'll feel better in no time.
10. Try belly breathing
This last one is really easy and once you get the hang of it you can do it practically anytime and anywhere! Follow the simple steps below, setting aside 10 minutes a day to just sit and breathe. You'll be surprised at how much everything slows down to a more comfortable pace. (More than once when we've done it, we got so relaxed we started to snore. Enough said.)
-- Sit in a relaxing position with your legs apart.
-- Put your hands on your stomach. Using your stomach breathe in slowly through your nose. If you are doing it right your stomach will expand and you'll feel it with your hands.
-- Breathe out slowly through your nose and do it with some force so you feel your stomach pull slightly inwards towards your spine.
-- Breathe in and out 30 times. Take slow and deep breaths.
-- After you have taken 30 breaths and focused on counting them you should not only feel more relaxed and centered. Your body will also be able to continue breathing in this manner without you focusing on it.
Until next time ...
-- Jennifer Lee & Joyce Liao, Clear365 Bloggers
Whether you're looking for tunes to power up your workout or soothe your soul, download them all at ClearMusic
REALITY CHECK: Learn the true story behind 'Southland'
She was speeding south on the 405 freeway, straddling the edge of disaster. In her 2002 Toyota Corolla, she zoomed past exit after exit, without regard for safety or surroundings. The crime had been committed, and only destiny could stop her now.
That, or an army of police cars.
That's not the case on the NBC television series 'Southland,' which claims to "take a raw and authentic [but dramatized] look at Los Angeles and the lives of the officers who police it." Though the show's characters certainly have their flaws, it depicts the LAPD as a collection of brave, hard-working human beings who even have a sense of humor. They strive to help people -- and help themselves -- as best they can, but are often restricted by the city and have to settle with just doing their jobs.
Sometimes lives are saved. Sometimes they aren't.
Is this what happens in real life? For the most part, yes, says one mid-level LAPD patrolman, who we'll call "Officer Paul." (Because of the sensitivity of his position -- and department regulations -- he asked that we not reveal his real name. But since he watches 'Southland,' he wanted to comment.)
According to Officer Paul, while some aspects of the show are accurate, such as its personal stories and humorous cop banter, some specific police procedures are for entertainment value only.
"They create the show for the audience," the officer says. "It's a good show, but it's just for entertainment."
For example, he explains, the cops on 'Southland' sometimes respond to calls outside of LAPD jurisdiction, areas where in real life, different police divisions would be called in to handle.
"Pursuit is the most dangerous thing I've done on the job," he adds.
There are other discrepancies on 'Southland,' too, according to the officer. On one episode, for instance, a detective who's recovering from a car accident realizes his gun is missing, but he doesn't report it.
"You don't do that," Officer Paul says. "If you lose your gun, you report it."
He also questions the "hot shot" attitude of one of the show's central characters, first-year cop Ben Sherman (actor Benjamin McKenzie). "When a rookie cop isn't paying attention to his commanding officer and acts like a hot shot, he most likely would be warned once and then terminated if it happened again," he says.
"Officer Jake," who wrote about 'Southland' on his wife's blog, LAPDwife.com, was also struck by certain characters' behavior, noting that in real life, it would "guarantee you a trip to internal affairs, a beef or losing your job." And he noticed right away that "details were wrong throughout" the show, some of them major. In his less-than-thrilled review, Officer Jake did grudgingly admit that the cop humor and generalizations were fairly right on, but much of the department language was clearly outdated or being used incorrectly. (Code 7, for example, is no longer used by the LAPD.)
But if 'Southland' can get the heart of an LAPD officer right, how much do technical discrepancies matter -- especially to viewers who aren't directly involved in law enforcement?
Despite 'Southland' having some unrealistic aspects, it does seem to contain the essence of what it means emotionally and personally to be a police officer. And ultimately, says Officer Paul, it's the humor between officers regarding unusual arrests, or wild events on the show that make the series work.
"Cops do drink and joke around a lot, like on the show," he says. "The best part of the job is the people you work with."
Still on the fence about 'Southland'? These suggestions should help:
-- Go on a ride-along with the real-life cops. Many police departments allow residents to "ride along" with officers on their shifts, to encourage a better understanding of the risks and rewards of police work. Contact your city's police department for details.
-- Check out the LAPD blog, LAPDwife.com or search the Web for other police-related sites. You'll likely find something that's actually enlightening -- or at least fun to read.
-- Forget all this "dramatization" stuff: 'Cops' is on!
And there you have it. Now take aim and tune in to 'Southland'
-- Ted Goslin, Clear365 Blogger
Get the latest TV, movie and celebrity news and gossip with a click: ClearEntertainment
REALITY CHECK: Learn the true story behind 'Lie to Me'
The lie was undeniable.
First, a raised lip for only a microsecond, followed by a briefly clenched fist, then a look to the floor, down and away. That signified guilt. Bad guy discovered. Case closed.
On the Fox television show, 'Lie to Me,' preeminent lie-detector Dr. Cal Lightman, played by Tim Roth, runs a consulting company called the Lightman Group, which specializes in helping people solve crimes. On the show, Lightman and his team of experts work on cases from protecting a Korean ambassador, to connecting linked suicides. Although this is a fictional show, the truth behind it may make you think twice about what those closest to you are REALLY saying.
Consider your everyday conversation with a friend or relative. They ask, "How are you?" You answer, "Fine, thanks. How are you?" In reality, you are miserable -- on the verge of collapse -- and couldn't care less about how they are doing (unless it's your mom, maybe).
According to the 'Lie to Me' website, this white lie-laced interaction isn't unusual. In fact, the site notes, "the average person tells three lies in 10 minutes of conversation." But what if you could read through all the lies, and know how everyone around you truly felt?
That's where the real-life work of Dr. Paul Ekman comes in. Ekman -- a clinical psychologist, behavioral scientist, author and talk-show regular who specializes in lying -- is the inspiration for 'Lie to Me' and its main character, Dr. Lightman. He also serves as the series' "scientific advisor." Ekman's highly sophisticated techniques range from studying the intricacies of body language, to the nuances of microexpressions, which are brief, involuntary expressions that show on the faces of people who try to conceal an emotion. Ekman's like the Obi-wan Kenobi of lie detection, appropriately referred to by his peers as a 'Truth Wizard.'
With his company, the Paul Ekman Group, Dr. Ekman develops training techniques for organizations and individuals on how to accurately read liars. Information regarding specific detection-training techniques and services is available through his personal website and his company site, METT Online. Among Ekman's online offerings are a self-administered Micro Expression Training Tool (METT); a Subtle Expression Training Tool (SETT); downloadable excerpts from his books (including the best-selling 'Emotional Awareness: A conversation between the Dalai Lama and Paul Ekman, Ph.D.'; updates on new research being conducted in the lie-detection field; a 'Lie to Me'-themed e-newsletter; and the doctor's personal blog.
One of the most fascinating examples of the potential impact of Ekman's techniques is in a 2006 article published in the Washington Post. In the article, "How to Spot a Terrorist on the Fly," Eckman discusses the use of a detection approach called SPOT (Screening Passengers by Observational Techniques). Had airport security personnel been trained to recognize microexpressions and body language, he writes, they might have caught some -- if not all -- of the people responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
"Several of them were repeatedly questioned, but no one recognized their lies," writes Ekman, regarding the 9/11 hijackers. "An airport screener later said he had been suspicious of one because of his strange demeanor on the day of the attacks. But the screener had no training that would have given him the confidence to act on his suspicions."
So what does all this mean?
-- Everybody lies (or least tells a few fibs every now and again)
-- Learning proper lie-detection skills, such as how to read microexpressions, can help you immensely in both your private and professional life
-- You don't need a Ph.D. in behavioral psychology to know when someone is lying to you: Take a look at Dr. Ekman's sites, maybe buy one of his books, and you're on your very own path to 'Truth Wizard' success
-- Aside from being an exceptionally useful skill, implementing lie-detection techniques can give you a real rush, too!
-- 'Lie to Me' is a good show with a good premise that is worth checking out
Enough said. Now watch 'Lie to Me', and see how well you track the tell-tale signs!
-- Ted Goslin, Clear365 Blogger
Find the TV, movie and celebrity news you crave at ClearEntertainment
Image credits:
'Lie to Me'/Fox Television
Davis Freeman, www.PaulEkman.com
ANDROID MANIFESTO: 'Battlestar Galactica' -- Old versus New
By Dave Conde
Me? Watch TV? Don't make me sick. You kids today with your 500 cable channels and fancy computer-generated effects wouldn't know a good science-fiction epic if a half-naked Borg served it to you on the bloated corpse of Jar Jar Binks. Back in my day we had some good, old fashioned space opera. Like Battlestar Galactica. Not that crazy Battlestar Galactica you get nowadays where everyone's secretly a robot only nobody can tell. Hasn't anyone ever heard of X-rays? If my buddy with a pacemaker can't get through an airport, I'm sure we can tell who's a robot. I could always spot a robot a mile away, even if... Where was I?
Oh right, the old Battlestar Galactica (BSG for short) was far superior to the new one, and here's why:
Adama
If you had to pick out a leader to guide ''a rag-tag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest for a shining planet known as Earth'',how could you not pick Pa Cartwright? If Lorne Greene could manage the Ponderosa Ranch, keeping Little Joe and Hoss in line, he could lead a bunch of refugees through space.
Sure, the new Adama, Edward James Olmos, has shown leadership by teaching inner-city kids math. But for the role of Adama, you need a man with the numerical mastery to convert dog years into people years IN HIS HEAD!
ANDROID MANIFESTO: Who ARE the people in your neighborhood?
By Dave Conde
It has become a hip thing now for celebrities to do a guest spot on Sesame Street. Some of the celebrities grew up watching Sesame Street. Some of them are trying to impress their kids. But what of the viewers? Are the little kids watching next season really going to appreciate watching Ricky Gervais talk to Elmo? Or is it more for the parents watching, or the celebrities themselves?
Robert DeNiro
Do kids know who Robert DeNiro is? Do they fall down laughing when Elmo does his "Are you lookin' at Elmo? You must be lookin' at Elmo because Elmo's the only one here" bit? No, but it is kinda cool to see Bobby D teaching Elmo to act.
Patrick Stewart
There's nothing kids love more than old, bald guys reciting pseudo-Shakespeare.
Conan O'Brien
First, no children should be up late enough to know who he is. Second, is this the man to whom we are entrusting the Tonight Show? Johnny would play along with gags, but he would never do a crappy dog impression. I'm just sayin'...
Larry King
This will give little kids nightmares.
Lou Rawls
In addition to appearing in skits, many celebrities have appeared to recite the alphabet. In this early clip, we see Lou Rawls singing the alphabet. According to Wikipedia, (and I can't be bothered to research it further) Rawls declined the use of cue cards until he forgot the order of the letters. True or not, it looks like he needs more than a few frantic glances off screen to get through the song.
Arthur Ashe
Tennis great Arthur Ashe recites the alphabet while hitting a tennis ball, which is somewhat fitting because that is what he excelled at.
Jackie Robinson
Color barrier breaking baseball star Jackie Robinson says the alphabet while standing and staring into the camera. Because as good as he was at baseball, no one could beat him at standing and staring.
James Earl Jones
Maybe not as good at standing and staring, James Earl Jones can't be beat for enunciation.
Richard Pryor
Watching this, it's impossible to shake the feeling that at any moment Pryor will start swearing.
Ray Charles
Ray shows them all how it's done. It's not just the alphabet, it's music appreciation.
James Taylor
Back in the day, Sesame Street actually had musical guests. Check out James Taylor up on the roof.
Cab Calloway
Ain't no way the kids watching this fully appreciated the fact that Cab Calloway was singing for them. But this is exactly the kind of thing we need our kids exposed to if we don't want them to grow up to think that American Idol is high art.
Johnny Cash
When you are looking for a role model, look no farther than Johnny Cash. It makes sense when you pair him with Oscar the Grouch.
Stevie Wonder
One of the keys to Sesame Street's success is that it doesn't needlessly talk down to children. This performance could easily have been from Saturday Night Live. It's classic '70's Stevie Wonder as it was and as it should be.
--Dave Conde walks this Sesame Street, on the boulevard of broken dreams. Send your furry monsters and comments to: [email protected]
Friday, July 10, 2009
Reality Check: Learn the truth behind 'House'
It was a mystery that couldn't be solved. Teams of doctors had examined the patient in every possible way to identify his illness, but so far, nothing. Then, there he was: Hobbling through the hospital on his trusty walking cane, the one man who could piece together this medical puzzle ... even if he was a jerk.
On Fox's hit series, 'House', Hugh Laurie plays Dr. Gregory House, a brilliant, problem-solving diagnostician with a speciality in infectious diseases and a taste for insulting both his colleagues and patients with brutally honest, narcissistic (but hilarious) quips. Now wrapping up its fifth season, 'House' has succeeded for numerous reasons. Not the least of these is its skillful and realistic depiction of modern medicine, for which the show relies on real medical professionals as on-set advisors and writers.
Among these advisors is Dr. David Foster, a full-time staff writer and consultant who holds a doctorate in medicine from Harvard Medical School and previously worked as a physician at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health. (When he first started on 'House,' Foster actually commuted from the East Coast to L.A. during production weeks so he could assist with the series as well as continue his full-time work at an inner-city health center in Boston.)
Today, Foster's team -- which also includes writers without medical backgrounds -- is responsible for coming up with plausible mysteries for Dr. House to solve. That can be a challenge in this post-'ER' age, when TV viewers demand realism from their medical shows, Foster said in an interview with Canwest News Service. "Fortunately, there's an endless number of ways the human body can break down," he said. "It's great for us; it's not so great for humanity."
Still, there are critics who believe some of the medical puzzles on 'House' could never occur in real life.
"There's always somebody who's going to say, 'That would never happen," Foster said. "But what they really mean to say is, 'I've never seen that,' or, 'This never happened to me' -- which may well be true. If you want to say that, you can say that. But that's not our show."
One critic is Scott Morrison, M.D., a family-practice physician who in his spare time hosts the TV and comics website, Polite Dissent. Writing for the general public -- not just docs -- on his site, Morrison analyzes the storylines of science-based TV shows and comics, meticulously rating and explaining their truth-fiction accuracy points.
As far as 'House,' is concerned, Morrison says via email that the show's "medical mysteries/diagnoses are all fairly accurate, just extremely, extremely unlikely. The writers will take an obscure disease, and then find its most obscure symptoms and presentation."
A good example of this, he says, is an episode revolving around visceral leishmaniasis, a parasidic disease similar to malaria. "Where the writers tend to play loose with reality is the doctors' choices of tests and treatments," Morrison explains. "Visceral leishmaniasis can affect many internal organs, but other signs and symptoms would appear before it became as severe as it did in the show."
Though he hasn't encountered quite as many medical mysteries as the acerbic TV doc, Morrison says one particular case of his came pretty close to an episode of 'House.'
"My most memorable mystery was a patient who was diagnosed with aplastic anemia; all his blood counts -- red, white, platelet -- were incredibly low," Morrison says. "He came in complaining of bruising, but had no other symptoms. He was active and had played a two-hour game of basketball the night before without difficulty. [Then] blood tests were run and showed that he had a life-threatening anemia and neutropenia. I had to hunt him down at his daughter's high-school graduation to get him to the hospital ASAP."
In Morrison's view, the most accurate part of 'House' is its depiction of clinic scenes. "Those are pretty true to life," he says.
And the least accurate?
"When they deal with blood-typing," Morrison says. "They always seem to screw that up."
Can't wait for the new season? Get your 'House' fix anytime with these handy links:
-- After every episode, Fox's official 'House' website lists links to detailed information about the week's "featured" diseases -- worth bookmarking, if you're into to this sort of thing
-- 'House' FAQ (example: Where, exactly, is Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital?)
-- Want to know what songs/artists are featured on each week's episode? (There are usually some good ones.) Here's where to look
-- 'House' FAQ (example: Where, exactly, is Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital?)
-- Want to know what songs/artists are featured on each week's episode? (There are usually some good ones.) Here's where to look
There you have it. Now what are you waiting for? Watch 'House' on ClearTV!
-- Ted Goslin, Clear 365 Blogger
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Did Michael Jackson have a secret new-music vault?
Want more? We've got it! For the latest celebrity news and gossip, click on ClearEntertainment.
-- Ted Goslin, Clear365 Blogger
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sex tapes, unpaid taxes & 'Mamma Mia' dreams
Sex tapes, lawsuits, tax evasion: There's fresh trouble brewin' in Tinseltown, and we've got the details in today's Media Circus ...
Want more? We've got it! For the latest celebrity news and gossip, click over to ClearEntertainment.
-- Ted Goslin, Clear365 Blogger
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