Gleefully Awaiting Rocky Horror Tonight

Just a little piggy back onto Lisa's marvelous Halloween TV updates to entice all 12 people in the USA who have not yet decided to watch tonight's Glee episode showcasing the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Tune in to your FOX affiliate tonight at 8pm.

If that picture of Kurt as "Riff Raff" doesn't do it for you...if the thought of doing the "Time Warp" again on your living room floor doesn't do it for you....then for heaven's sake, don't you at least want to see who they picked to play Frank-N-Furter?

Get those black leather bustiers and feather boas ready ladies and gents. Tonight's the night!

And if for some reason you miss the actual episode on TV, you can catch it again on the fox.com website.

The Halloween TV Countdown #2 -- "The Paul Lynde Halloween Special"

Yikes! This is one for the ages -- an hour-long Halloween-themed ABC-TV variety special from 1976 starring (barely) closeted funnyman Paul Lynde along with a bevy of guests including the rock group KISS, Florence Henderson, The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz Margaret Hamilton, Tim Conway, Donny and Marie Osmond, Betty White, and Roz Kelly as Pinky Tuscadero (Fonzie's main squeeze at the time). Legendary for many years as a lost program and especially prized by fans of KISS, The Paul Lynde Halloween Special eventually turned up from fan recorded tapes on YouTube and received a genuine DVD release a couple of years ago.

You wonder why TV variety died a few decades ago, only to recently and initially reluctantly claw itself back to life courtesy of the dancing and singing competition shows? Specials like this are the answer. Awkward at best, unbearable at times, but also fascinating; TPLHS is from a different time when you could throw together a weird multigenerational list of guest stars, get the genuinely funny and beloved (even then and not just as a gay icon) Lynde to host, and fill an hour of primetime TV.

If you're way into Paul Lynde, then you should definitely buy or rent the DVD. Otherwise, a watch on YouTube should be plenty for you. We'll embed the first segment here but after that you're on your own! I only wish that my late great buddy James "Jimmy Jim" Torrence, who could do a better Paul Lynde than anybody, was around to watch this now!



This would also seem to be the perfect time to remind everybody to watch or record tonight's 8pm episode of Glee on Fox for their much-touted homage to the eternally-wonderful The Rocky Horror Picture Show. (FYI, Fox Movie Channel will be running a 24-hour TRHPS marathon starting at 6am eastern time on Sunday, 10/31!) Even those of us who aren't Gleeks -- and I'm one -- are going to be taking a look at what the show does to the most entertaining and imaginative rock musical out there and by now a complete classic of musical theater.

Here's the promo for the episode, and of course it's not two weeks away, it's about 3 hours away now!

Boo!

Beside Myself with GLEE

The new season for Glee (Fox, Tuesdays at 8pm) has been superb on every level, but last night's religion themed episode (Grilled Cheesus) broke the mold. I predict Emmy award nominations galore, as the Glee cast and writers tackled the topic that makes most television producers run for the hills. "Grilled Cheesus" was all about faith, God, and a little picture of Jesus burned into a grilled cheese sandwich. It was handled with love, sensitivity and humor and if you missed it and want to check it out, see the Fox website link above. Be sure to bring a box of Kleenex.

"Grilled Cheesus" opened with Kurt keeping a vigil in the hospital after his Dad suffered a near fatal heart attack. He struggles with his lack of faith while his Glee-Club mates offer solace and prayer. The mix of songs to support this spiritual episode was phenomenal, from Rachel singing "Papa Can You Hear Me" (Yentl), to Finn's cover of REM's "Losing my Religion". Mercedes brought the house down with a gospel version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and by the time Kurt sang "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" (for his sick Dad) I had a sinus head ache from being a big crybaby. The entire cast ended the show with Joan Osbourne's transcendent "What if God Was One of Us". Best scene; seeing the light in Sue Sylvester's (Jane Lynch) skeptical eyes when she hears her beloved Down Syndrome sister's explanation for faith.

This is television at its very best. GLEE has had an occasional rocky road with insufferable characters (Will's psycho wife Terri) and silly plot lines (Quinn's teenage pregnancy), but they've obviously been listening to the cacophony of viewer complaints because those problems have been eliminated. The season so far has twinkled like a 10 carat diamond.

Everybody puts Mad Men at the top of the list for TV quality, but if I might make a comparison to fine art (indulge me), watching MM is like gazing at a painting by Monet, or Van Gogh or Picasso. You are overwhelmed by the detail, the craft and the power. Watching Glee is more like looking at a David Hockney painting. It's bright, colorful, and glorious. GLEE is a trip down Mulholland Drive, and I love it.

A Few Good Shows that are NOT on Sunday Night!

While we all agree that Sunday night is a cornucopia of fabulous television programming, the rest of the week is not quite the viewing desert one might think. Last week, a number of established series had season premiers and there are a few that are off to a very good start.

HOUSE (Monday nights at 8pm on FOX), took the plunge by giving the brilliant, drug addled doctor a reason to stick to the rehab program for good. He and bosomy hospital Director Cuddy are finally an item. They kissed...they had naked sex...they're planning a European vacation together. It's all fraught with peril, of course, given that Dr. House is borderline Asperger's syndrome and almost completely incapable of a normal human relationship. Towards the end of the episode he actually said the "L" word to Cuddy, which I found touching. My more cynical sister Leslie said, "That's it then, we're looking at the last season for House!".

Moving over to Tuesday nights at 8pm on Fox, the Emmy award winning GLEE turned in a champion season opener. Starting with a full cast cover of Jay Z and Alicia Keys rap/song masterpiece "Empire State of Mind" and introducing a few fascinating new characters. Cheerios coach Sue Sylvester has a new nemesis with the towering and formidable football coach Beiste (The Panther). They clashed from the start, it was like watching butch gladiators fight it out in the halls of a public high school. New singers are being introduced as well, with the Filipina exchange student giving a goose-bump inducing audition.

Modern Family is the one to watch on Wednesdays (ABC at 9pm). Winner of the Best Comedy Emmy for their first season, Modern Family is living proof that broadcast television can still come up with a series that is fresh, innovative and absolutely hilarious. The season two open had Mitchell and Cameron building a huge pink Princess Castle for Lilly, while Phil and Claire try to get rid of the ancient family station wagon. The irrepressible 12 year old quipster Manny goes on a date, making his mom moan that "the leading cause of death among Colombian women is when their sons get married".

Saving the best for last, Thursday night features 30 ROCK (NBC at 8:30pm). Long a Flaming Nose favorite, 30 Rock dispels the myth that it's not possible to make a successful TV program about a TV program. Wait...that myth has never been true...what about The Dick Van Dyke Show? All the greats are back with Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) trying to merge with a new pilot boyfriend (Matt Damon!), and Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) head over heels for his uber-competitive TV newswoman doppelganger. There's trouble in paradise, however, as Kenneth the Page is missing. Has he gone over to CBS? Absolutely love the constant references to GE and NBC being sold to "Cabletown", a dig at the pending real life take over by Comcast.

There you have it, something to love for every night of the week! And oddly enough, not one of these programs is on cable. What's the world coming to? ;)

Getting Back in Touch with My Inner "Gleek"

"Glee" returned to Fox this past Tuesday and it is stronger than ever. Thanks to a perfect mix of humor, pathos, wonderful characters and top notch, exquisitely choreographed song and dance numbers, Glee is worthy of its very loyal following.

Most of my personal gleefulness is still driven by the amazing Jane Lynch, for her "take no prisoners" performance as Sue Sylvester, terrifying and tyrannical coach of the Cheerios cheer-leading club. Ms. Sylvester does not have a politically correct bone in her towering stork-like body. She is Machiavellian, she is Patton in a track suit. I have a Facebook friend who is a retired United States Marine corp Major, and Sue S. is one of his favorite TV characters.

Playing beautifully against character, this week's season opener of Glee featured Sue in an amazing satirical impression of Madonna's iconic "Vogue" video. It's a must see, and you can watch it on the Fox website or Hulu.

All the other wonderful "Glee" characters are back this season too, plus they have cut screen time way back on Glee club coach Will Schuester's off the charts annoying (and now mercifully ex) wife. Broadway star Lea Michele continues to shine as the ultra-driven Rachel. She's unlucky in love, but boy can she belt a song into the balcony.

Going to try to post some promo videos here to give a taste of the new season. We'll see if they last more than 15 minutes before Fox takes them down.

AFI Names Its Top Ten TV Shows for 2009 -- and We Like Them!

We're always up for a well-informed Top Ten list around here, and today's announcement from the AFI of their Top Ten Movies and TV Shows from 2009 fits the bill. Because we're mostly about television here at the Nose we won't talk about the cinema choices, but we like what we see on the TV side. Their list, in alphabetical order, consists of many Flaming Nose favorites and others that's we've watched and liked, and one that we've never covered and can't imagine why not! So, the AFI Awards 2009, AFI TV Programs of the Year, Official Selections are:


The Big Bang Theory -- you know how much we like this CBS Monday night comedy, a geeky delight featuring a talented and hilarious cast and clever writing (which I must say with some dismay has started to rely a little too much on sexual innuendo -- actually way more than innuendo -- making some scenes play like creator Chuck Lorre's other hitcom Two and Half Men, which isn't necessarily a good thing.) But we still love it and we're happy to see it on this list!

Big Love -- star and producer Bill Paxton keeps this HBO saga about a polygamist Mormon family man on the right path, just absurd enough to be extremely entertaining but with a serious vein that never goes in for easy ridicule or cheap melodrama. With a gaggle of female co-stars who are some of the best actresses around -- Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny and Grace Zabriskie among them -- Big Love is compelling and doesn't always get the credit it deserves. So good to see it on the AFI list!

Friday Night Lights -- I know this is a great NBC show, but I've never watched an entire episode. It's the high school football millieu that has turned me off -- wrongly, of course -- and I vow to make this acclaimed show part of my viewing retinue. Good on AFI for calling out this terrific show that has managed to survive for three seasons so far and has earned the loyalty of many devoted viewers.


Glee -- Fox's new hit comedy/drama/musical is a favorite of Flaming Nose correspondent Jane, and we salute her foresight in calling this one a success right out of the box. This is one dare we say "quirky" show that has managed to wriggle its way into mainstream coverage, and its choice by the AFI is proof of its far-reaching appeal and unique qualities.


Mad Men -- Of course AMC's Mad Men has to be on any list like this. The TV show that's more a piece of art than a simple television series, MM entices the viewer to travel back to a time when men and women were still learning many things about each other, at home and in the workplace, and work itself -- especially in a cushy Madison Avenue ad agency -- was both a privileged and a cutthroat endeavour. Would have loved to see AMC's other excellent drama Breaking Bad on this list also, but maybe another time.

Modern Family -- ABC's new situation comedy about a collection of unconventional families who personify some of the diverse family groups out in the world today is a critical and audience favorite already. Though the people in the show may be nothing like you or your particular family, the universality of their problems and ultimate devotion to each other are certainly something everyone can understand and enjoy. Good choice for the list.


The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency -- HBO's charming Botswana, Africa-set light mystery series, is a wonderful addition to the list. Our Jane also called this one, loving its attitude and its seductive charismatic performances. More gentle than most of the breakout cable dramas getting so much publicity these days, this is a darling series with much to delight us all.

Nurse Jackie -- Showtime's brittle, brutal, heartbreaking, sexy dramedy starring the exquisite Edie Falco definitely belongs here. Is it more a comedy than a drama? Probably if you count the minutes, but Falco's performance is pure dramatic gold. Unusual, delving into the skilled Jackie's convoluted personal and professional life, Nurse Jackie is a show where good people don't always get the chance to do all the good things they'd like, but also get the chance to do the bad things that sometimes need to be done, too. Terrific choice by the AFI.

Party Down -- Where oh where was The Flaming Nose when this little gem ran on Starz? We were obviously asleep at the wheel, because we completely missed this one. (I never even saw ONE episode of this and have to confess I didn't recognize the title when I read it on AFI's list. My bad.) Party Down is a comedy about moonlighting aspiring actors, with a wonderful cast and the kind of comic sensibility that would have made it a hit if it had run on HBO, let's say, or even NBC. Don't miss this one if Starz repeats it, or seek it out online. Good for AFI to find this series and bestow some deserved limelight on this hidden delight.

TrueBlood -- HBO's vampilicious melodrama boasts not only one of the most attractive casts in recent memory, but they're giving some genuinely outstanding performances and bringing alive the kind of outlandish exploits that could sink a less skilled troupe. No worries here, though; TrueBlood is sexy and savage enough to make anyone a believer in the children of the night. It's one of the most fun shows out there, too, combining thrills and whimsy in a delicious Louisianna gumbo of gorey greatness. We love TrueBlood, can you tell?

Congrats to all the honorees!