Coach Is Coming Back

First there was news that The X Files were coming back. (The sci-fi geek that I am, squeed in delight at that one)

Today we learned that Craig T. Nelson is going to reprise his role as Coach for NBC.

I'm amused but kind of bummed that its looking like other cast members won't be returning, particularly Shelly Fabares, who played his wife.


Granted, it would be nice of the writers in Hollywood would come up with something new, I'm not going to complain when we get to see actors that are good, returning to a role that they wee really good at playing

Here's hoping the new version of Coach lives up to expectations.

TV Gripe

Two of my favorite shows annoyed the hell out of me last night.

Two Broke Girls had Max and Caroline doing taxes and rushing to get to the post office to get them done. Uh, I'm pretty sure the chickies have a computer. Why are they mailing them? Actually how in the hell has Max managed to not file and not have the IRS come down on her ass?

SRSLY!

Yeah...that was so wrong and stupid. If it weren't for Sofia and Oleg, last night's epi would have sucked!

Next up, Mike and Molly.

OK, so Molly is turning into bridezilla. Her dress doesn't fit, she's getting super obnoxious and she kicks off a side mirror from some skinny bitch's BMW, and get's arrested.

Everything is happy in the end. What I want to know is when will she get in trouble at work. Cos I'm sure the school district doesn't want a teacher that goes around assaulting people.

I know sitcoms aren't about reality, but sometimes I wish they weren't so far out there, because this really got on my nerves last night.  Surly the writers could have come up with something better than this.

Must See TV: The Finder

Fox has a new and awesome detective show going on. I try not to fall for shows on this network because they like to cancel them without giving them much of a shot, but this one is one I simply can't resist.

Geoff Stults as Walter Sherman is fabulous and he is so cute. His character reminds me a bit of Shawn Spencer from Psych but he's smarter and not as obnoxious. But the character I really love is Michael Clarke Duncan as Leo Knox.

Here's the show's summary via its official Fox website:
From the creator of the hit series BONES comes THE FINDER, a quirky, one-hour procedural centering on a different kind of detective: a remarkable man with the extraordinary ability to help people find the unfindable.
Iraq war veteran WALTER SHERMAN (Geoff Stults) gained a reputation in his army days as being the go-to guy for tracking down insurgents and deserters and finding improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Unfortunately one IED found Walter before he could find it, resulting in severe brain damage with a lasting and unexpected effect. Walter transformed from someone skilled at the standard recovery of people and things to someone much more extraordinary: a Finder.

If you are a fan of Bones you definitely want to check out the episode called Bullets, because Sweets is abused rather amusingly in that show. I really hope this show sticks around, it has a lot of potential, and I love that it isn't the typical cop/detective/lawyer show.

Must See TV For The Fall

The new season has started and there are so many new shows to watch, but which ones are worth your time?

Here are a few that this wench is getting really excited about.

Two Broke Girls airs CBS Mondays @ 8:30


From the official site:

2 BROKE GIRLS is a comedy about two young women waitressing at a greasy spoon diner who strike up an unlikely friendship in the hopes of launching a successful business - if only they can raise the cash. Sassy, streetwise Max Black works two jobs just to get by, one of which is waiting tables during the night shift at the retro-hip Williamsburg Diner. Sophisticated Caroline Channing is an uptown trust fund princess who's having a run of bad luck that forces her to reluctantly give waitressing a shot. At first, Max sees Caroline as yet another in a long line of inept servers she must cover for, but she's surprised to find that Caroline has as much substance as she does style. When Caroline discovers Max's knack for baking amazing cupcakes, she sees a lucrative future for them, but first they need to raise the start-up money. While they save their tips, they'll stay at the restaurant, working with Oleg, an overly flirtatious Russian cook; Earl, a 75-year-old kool-kat cashier; and Han Lee, the new, eager-to-please owner of the diner. Working together, these two broke girls living in one expensive city might just find the perfect recipe for their big break. 


Why you should watch?  

Max is so snarky you have to love her. Caroline is not the typical dumb blonde. Believe it or not she breaks out of that mold and is smart. These two girls make for an awesome show and when you add the creepy yet funny Oleg in the show is really great. I hope this one lasts...It is perfect between the two hits How I Met You Mother and Two and a Half Men. (BTW...Ashton sucks!)

Suburgatory airs Wednesdays @ 8:30 on ABC

From the official site:

Single father George Altman is doing his best to raise his sixteen-year-old daughter Tessa in the big city. When he discovers a box of condoms in her bedroom, though, he decides the time has come to move her to a more wholesome and nurturing environment: the suburbs.

But behind the beautiful homes and perfect lawns lurk the Franken-moms, spray tans, nose jobs, and Red Bull-guzzling teens who have nothing in common with Tessa. It’s a whole new world, one that makes George wonder if they haven’t jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.

With the help of suburbanites like old college friend Noah, flirty Alpha mom Dallas and awkward classmate Lisa, George and Tessa slowly learn to navigate the pitfalls of suburban life. With time, they might even find that it isn’t so bad. Once you get past the plastic smell.


Why you should watch:

It is a smart funny family comedy that isn't Disney sweet. It also keeps the sexual innuendo to a minimum, which is pretty hard to do on sitcoms these days. It is a perfect fit for most of ABC's family shows on Wednesday nights. It is a bit more grown up then The Middle but not as cutting edge as Modern Family, but still pretty damn fun to watch.

Unforgettable airs on CBS Tuesday @ 10:00

From the official site :

UNFORGETTABLE stars Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, an enigmatic former police detective with a rare condition that makes her memory so flawless that every place, every conversation, every moment of joy and every heartbreak is forever embedded in her mind. It's not just that she doesn't forget anything - she can't; except for one thing: the details that would help solve her sister's long-ago murder. Carrie has tried to put her past behind her, but she's unexpectedly reunited with her ex-boyfriend and partner, NYPD Detective Al Burns (Dylan Walsh), when she consults on a homicide case. His squad includes Det. Mike Costello (Michael Gaston), Al's right-hand man; Detective Roe Saunders (Kevin Rankin), the junior member of the team; and Detective Nina Inara (Daya Vaidya), a sassy, street-smart cop. Being back on the job after a break feels surprisingly right for Carrie. Despite her conflicted feelings for Al, she decides to permanently join his unit as a detective solving homicides - most notably, the unsolved murder of her sister. All she needs to do is remember. Ed Redlich, John Bellucci, Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly are executive producers for Sony Television Studios in association with CBS Television Studios.

Why you should watch:

This isn't your typical cop/detective drama. Poppy Montgomery rocks as Carrie Wells. It is really hard to pinpoint why this show is so awesome, but it is. Of course anything is better than more rehashed Law and Order.



  

When SNL Gets It Right

Okay, everyone has probably seen these. And Lonely Island, I'm sure, is for some walking a fine line between ridiculously hilarious and over-the-top and obnoxious. But frequently, they're spot on. Plus they guest stars they've gotten are insane.

Michael Bolton as Jack Sparrow?



Akon talking about the beauty of sex?



Insane, star-studded angst?



And perhaps best of all, the third installment of our favorite "Dick in a Box" bros.



I consider "Mother Lover" to be the sophomore slump.


Then there's the John Waters and Nikki Minaj cameos in "The Creep."

What fun will the new season bring?

Let's Talk About TV

As this season of telly draws to a close I find myself becoming more and more disillusioned with the boob tube.

There's entirely too many reality based shows everywhere and the dramas and comedies are all the same or at least they feel like they are all the same.

I have a few staples in my viewing...Big Bang Theory, Mike and Molly and The Middle for comedies. NCIS, Castle (here and there) and Bones for my dramas. Oh and let's not forget Doctor Who. I must have some Who.

I just wish there was something more entertaining out there.

My mother commented during The Middle last night that there was more commercial time than actual show time! WTF is up with that.

In the UK, most shows that run a half hour are pretty close to that. In the US they are only about 20 minutes long, and actors are pulling in huge amounts of money!

Doctor Who is about 48 to 50 minutes except when it is on BBC America where they shave off about 8 minutes of the show somewhere.

How is this right?

Do commercials really affect our buying that much?

GAH!!!!

And while I'm bitching...USA Network, since Monk left your ranks...all of your shows...with the exception of White Collar have gotten really really boring!!!

Jon Stewart Is the Greatest Human Alive

Glenn Beck has announced that he's leaving Fox and I'm weeping for joy. Jon Stewart, on the other hand, is busy doing the most spot-on impression and parody of Beck that the world has ever seen.

You can watch the full episode over on the Daily Show website here.

MTV Movie Awards

It's that time of year again for MTV to pretend it's awards mean something and honor the year's best movies.

Wait, best movies? That can't be right. Not when Twilight is in the running for a ton, and not in the fun, Razzie way.

Here's how things should be: Inception should win everything, with some exceptions for Kick Ass, because that was a seriously solid film. I can't speak for much else, since I didn't see much else, but I'm going to guess the few nominations for critically acclaimed movies like Blue Valentine deserve to win the most but most of MTV's audience won't have any clue about them because they'll have been too busy watching Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, and Skins. Note: I too watch Teen Mom and I watched the original British Skins, but couldn't take much of the poorly acted, dramatic, and stereotype-ridden American one.

But here's how things will be: Twilight will win everything, with a few exceptions for Harry Potter, and Harry Potter wins will probably be deserved, not to mention contribute to my new job as Harry Potter Examiner. In the rare case Twilight loses to something that's not Harry Potter, the fangirls will riot and talk about what a travesty it is, since Robert Pattinson is so totally hot and Twilight is the greatest book of all time (which it is, if you like bad writing, weak plot points that don't make sense, terrible characters, and dependent relationships).

So save America and vote for some worthwhile movies.

Bob Dylan Takes on "Charles in Charge"

I know plenty of people that can't stand Jimmy Fallon, and a few that adore him. One thing that can't be denied is the fact that the man does some stellar impressions, especially of musicians. Especially musicians singing ridiculous songs. And only Jimmy Fallon would take the stage as Bob Dylan - and pretty excellently - singing the Charles in Charge theme song.

Enjoy.

Bye Bye 2.5 Men

I've never been happier to see a show go into a semi-permanent hiatus than Two and a Half Men.

Charlie Sheen, has apparently gone all Mel Gibson on Chuck Lorre. Not a nice thing to do, really. 

I've never understood the appeal of this show, though I like most of the people involved in it, especially Jon Cryer, who really deserves something this hit worthy, but also less sleazy.

Charlie Sheen does not act in this show. He plays himself, which in most cases could best be described as a scumbag. But I don't have to tell you that, right? This show has been in the top 10 for years. I also see that as further proof that American's watch crap.

Want to read more about Sheen's latest tirade? Click here.  Apparently he missed that cliche that says not to bite the hand the feeds you.  Oh and he has some advice for Lindsay Lohan too....

he said: 'I've got some things I would recommend she consider. Work on your impulse control.


'Just try to think things through a little bit before you do them.'

Perhaps he should take his own advice?

Must See TV

I have to admit that I've got really strange taste when it comes to TV. I like some UK shows and I have a few shows during the week that I absolutely must watch.

Here's a few of the shows I'm currently obsessing over.

I absolutely adore Mike and Molly. This is an example of a sitcom at its finest and funniest.

The characters are fun and quirky and not in the least bit airbrushed.

Can I get a yay for real looking people finding love?

Plus Molly's sister is a hoot...just as Mike's partner Carl and his grandma are.  You will find me in front of the telly at 9:30 on Monday's watching this every week.

Castle is one of those shows I have a love and hate relationship with.  When theshow is good, it is fabulous, but when it is bad, it puts me to sleep.  The problem is, I've been falling asleep through too many episodes lately.  Even Nathan Fillion's gorgeousness can't keep my eyes open. Worse still, is when they let the sexual angst between Castle and Beckett take over the episode.   I love the characters in this show, but I hate the angst. These two characters can't sleep together or the show would be done. Sure they are attracted to each other, but together they would be a huge train wreck.

Still I have to try, just so they can make jokes about Serenity every few weeks.

Eureka is one of Syfy's best shows and one I look forward to every summer.  I  curse the fact that it usually only runs about 8 episodes.

Syfy! Let your cast make some money! More episodes please!

I love that this show has a lot of different elements. It has mystery, relationships, comedy and a touch of the unusual. Plus the cast is fantastic. I love Colin Ferguson. I still can't believe he was cast in the train wreck that was the US version of Coupling!

If you have't given this show a try, you really should!

I really wasn't sure what to make of Hot In Cleveland when it first aired last year. It is actually pretty ridiculous. However, ridiculous makes for a great sitcom.  Plus TVLAND has really assembled a great cast.

There's all kinds of personalities in this show....and then there's Betty White.

Betty makes the show.

Betty could carry the show...and sometimes she does.  This is a fun way to waste 30 minutes of a Wednesday night...oh and if you watch this....stick around for Retired at 35...its not as great as Hot In Cleveland, but is is good for a few laughs, especially if you like Shit My Dad Says.

TV Movie Review: The Lost Valentine

Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt lit up the small screen last night in the made for tv movie, The Lost Valentine, based on the novel by James Michael Pratt.

The story recounts the love story of Caroline Thomas whose husband of only a year was MIA in the Pacific. Every year, she returns to Union Station in hopes that her husband Neil will return.

It is through the intervention of Susan Allison, played by Love Hewitt, that Caroline receives closure. 60 years is a long time to wait for information about someone you love.

This movie was done beautifully and like so many Hallmark movies, it won't leave you with dry eyes.  Caroline's story is so heartbreaking, it would be impossible not to cry, especially as the Western Union man arrives at her porch.

Their love story is told through flashbacks., but that isn't the only love story going on here. Susan is falling for Caroline's grandson.

The movie could have been sickeningly sweet, but it wasn't. White, who usually plays comic roles, plays Caroline so well, that she deserves and Emmy for this. Love Hewitt was likable, though at times, she was a bit annoying, but that comes from trying to condense multiple relationships into 2 hours, while trying to keep the focus on Thomas.

Hallmark really did well with this one. It isn't the stellar film that Sarah Plain and Tall was, but it will likely go down as a fan favorite. Now I have to find the book.

Kurt

I know there are Glee naysayers among us, and admittedly this season has kind of been hit-and-miss (the Britney Spears episode was by far the worst in the series so far. Quit with the guest stars. I fell in love with your characters, wit, and writing, and having Britney Spears on just because you can was a joke), but I still stand by statements I made somewhere on the internet at some point about how Glee and the character of Kurt are dealing with homosexuality in a totally awesome way. I think one of this week's PostSecrets helps to prove that point.



Actor Chris Colfer called it "very touching."

And here's something fun: it's currently being blamed for the crash of Tumblr. Rumor has it that it's been forwarded so much that it crashed the site. How sweet would it be if that were true?

Music in Commercials

When did the music in commercials start getting so good? What happened to cheesy jingles that were annoying and embedded themselves in your brain? Not that they're not used anymore or that I miss them, because I don't, but still. Is advertising suddenly hip or something, or are have the powers that be realized we won't groan and change the channel if a commercial has a good song playing over it?

Case in point: the HP commercial with "Brand New Key." Or the Samsung commercial with "Silly Boy" by The Blue Van.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have jewelry commercials. Don't get me started.

Stop Remaking British Shows!!

On January 17, Syfy will be premiering a new version of Being Human.

I have one thing to say to that.

No, no! A thousand times no!

That's not to say the cast isn't pretty or talented, but I really think it is time to start coming up with new ideas, rather than rehashing old ones, so that we can ruin something good. There have only been a few cases where the American version of an original British series was actually good, The Office comes to mind there. I don't think this will be another Office.

Have a look at the trailer

SNL Is Funny Again

I wasn't too impressed with the new season when it started, but for better or worse, they've captured much of what it is that makes Miley Cyrus annoy most of us.

The Prodigal Wench

I've been gone a long while, I know. Somehow I had no time over the summer, & even less now that I'm back at school. But I have returned, & hopefully I'll be able to be around more often.

Let's talk about Conan O'Brien, shall we?

He's back on TV, & it feels like he never left. In a good way, of course. It's nice to see him. The jokes & bits are funny & the guests were great. The most interesting was probably Jack White. For one thing, it's nice to see Conan singing & playing guitar because he's actually quite good, & Jack White is an interesting collaboration. Over the summer, they actually got together & recorded an album full of just straight-up rock while Conan was in the middle of his tour.

And since I wasn't around all summer, I'd like to talk about the tour a little too. He managed to do some pretty neat stuff, & not just in terms of comedy. Enjoy, & prepare for YouTube overload.

First, the funny: the tour's opening video.



And before Stewart & Colbert were holding rallies, they were having dance-offs:



Honestly, the more memorable parts of this tour very well may have been the musical ones.

"Seven Nation Army":



Eddie Vedder turns "Oh Yoko" into "Oh Coco":



And last, but not least, one of the most epic covers ever. Eddie Vedder brings it once again with The Who's "Baba O'Riley":

The Weekend Wasteland

I really wish that the networks would come up with something interesting to watch on Saturday and Sunday nights.

The only time I can ever find anything to watch is when BBC America decides to run a new Sci Fi series that I haven't found in other places.

Right now, even BBC America sucks.

Which means for those of us without lives on the weekend, the only entertainment for us = re-runs.

Boo hiss!

This is why I always end up watching Disney Channel on Sunday Night. Yeah, I'm all about Sonny With A Chance and Good Luck Charlie.

How sad is that? Especially as I'm 36 and I don't have children?

I realize that the networks don't want to shell out too much money for programming on nights when there aren't many viewers, but  crikey, it would be nice to have something to watch.

Favorite Classic TV Shows

I was listening to the radio this morning and there was a trivia question about one of the shows that I grew up watching.

What show debuted on this date in 1976 starring Linda Lavin.

The answer to that question was Alice.

This show ran from 1976 to 1985.

I loved it. It was definitely part of our family viewing back in the day, along with Three's Company and One Day At A Time.

I miss shows like this. They were family shows and they were funny. Granted there's some really great TV, but the stuff you can watch with everyone seems to only be on stations like Disney.  It is a shame that writers can't come up with shows that are funny and entertaining for the whole family.

Now if you don't mind, I'm going to slink off somewhere and feel very old now.

Comedies Rock My World

So far there have been two new shows that really get my seal of laughter approval, Monday night's Mike And Molly and Wednesday night's Better With You.

I have The Defenders on my list of shows to catch up on this weekend.

I'm also adding Shit My Dad Says to my must watch list of shows. Yes, its Bleep My Dad Says, but fuck it, what the hell is fucking wrong with the word shit! I'm so sick of  people deciding what words are bad! It makes me want to say fuck over and over.

Fuck Fuck Fuck!

I'm pretty impressed with the new shows I've seen, I'm not going to make any calls on what will stay or go, because usually if I like it, it tanks. Still I blow raspberries at all the people that were against Modern Family last season! Ha! That show is the greatest! But if I had to make the call, I'd say Better With You won't make it, Mike and Molly should have no problem, and Shit My Dad Said will hang in at least a full season because The Shat is awesomesauce and its worth watching for his terrible acting and comedy. Shat rules!

So what new shows do you love already?