I just watched the American Idol finale, and I have a few quick thoughts. Don't read past this point if you do not want to know who won tonight.
Stopping? Good.
I've been a fan of tonight's winner since the beginning. For me it was Michael Johns and David Cook all the way. When Johns was eliminated early on, I threw all my support behind David Cook. Everyone including myself thought David Archuleta had it in the bag though. Simon said he knocked David Cook out last night at the end of the program. However, David Cook came in and won. I am beyond happy. I will gladly buy his record when it is released in the near future.
Congrats to David. It was a great show with a lot of surprises. I will have full thoughts on tonight's finale on tomorrow morning on my television blog!
In shock!
Moonlight Angst
This is prime example of why I do not let myself get too involved in television shows. News from today's upfronts is that CBS has decided to not renew Moonlight for a second season. This is shocking to say the least because from what I've noticed the series has a strong fan base. I tune in weekly myself, and I was actually into the story line of Mick St. John and his life. This is just horrible. I'm wondering if fans will try to rally support for the series like they did for Jericho last year. A whole bunch of peanuts were delivered to the offices of CBS, and they gave the show another shot. What could we send in here folks? Pints of blood? Just an idea! I'm not sure how much CBS would like that. Damn it. I really liked Moonlight.
Thoughts on The L Word Season Finale
I have watched the season finale to The L Word's fifth season three times now, and each time it just makes me a little bit more angry. The one sixty minute episode wrapped up many of the season's problems, and it cause new ones that I'm sure will be dealt with when the show comes back in 2009. However, I think it wrapped up everything too quickly. If you haven't watched the episode yet, stop here.
In this episode we see the return of Helena Peabody from a hut in Tahiti. Her mother is supposedly on her death bed, and she decides to give Helena back her money, and then she tells her to use it to help her friends. This leads her to buy She-bar and I am hoping The Planet back from Dawn. She just comes back and saves the day. Problem solved. Adele, who we know is major witch, goes from having no girlfriend at all to having a beautiful lady. There will be more problems with the movie next year. Nice Jodi turns into a major witch, and the one that tops everything for me is Jenny and Shane. I know Shane is the slut to end all sluts, but come on she would not even think about screwing around with her best friend's girl. That is just what she does here, and she has totally ruined a friendship. The only way I can see this being a good thing is if Jenny and Shane somehow are meant to end up together when the series returns next year for what is now being called the show's final season. I have no idea what the writer's were thinking.
A Month Without Lost
I'm not really sure how I will survive. Lost is my favorite show on television, and when the strike began and rumors flew that Lost might not come back until 2009 like 24 is, I was upset. This show has more twists and turns than any other show I've seen in television in years. First with flashbacks, and now with flash forwards to the future, I am being kept on my toes. I am sure I am not the only one either. We now six make it off the island, but we don't know what happens to the other survivors. I'm hoping we find out soon because I'm impatient and the suspense is killing me. Lost will be back next month with a few episodes, and we already know it comes back next season. The series is starting to come to an end though. You can feel it. What will Losties do once the story ends?
Dancing With The Stars Season Six
Anyone catch it this week? This show is my little guilty pleasure, and I try not to miss an episode. The new season premiered this week, and we have some great people dancing this time around. My favorite is Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin. I've always admired her as an actress and a person. I've seen so many of her movies over the years, and I love her character on The L Word. She came out strong this week with a good performance. She amazes me with her rhythm, even though she can't hear one ounce of the music.
There will be one more performance next week before we start seeing eliminations. I really think Marlee did great this week. Apparently there are also rumors going around that season two champions, Cheryl Burke and Drew Lachey, had an affair during this last tour. Both parties deny the rumors of course. This isn't the first time dance partners have been romantically linked. Sometimes it has been true, but I'm sure not every instance is true. Perhaps a little wishful thinking after seeing some chemistry on the dance floor?
Wordless Wednesday #10
One of my favorite television shows when I was a teenager was CBS' Beauty and the Beast starring Linda Hamilton from The Terminator movies. I was assigned the third season DVD set to review for Blogcritics, and I've been watching tonight. It is a classic show, and just watching a few episodes tonight reminded me of how much I used to love the series. It is a classic love story where love triumphs. It is making me wish I had the other two seasons on DVD. I've been looking for a good deal on them on eBay, but no luck yet. I'll keep looking.
It's coming back
I have always been a huge fan of the Terminator series of movies. I'm so unbelievably excited for the new series coming to Fox in January. Yesterday, new posters were released, and I am completely in love. I've been waiting to see this show since it was announced. Fox is never good to mid-season replacements, but with the strike Fox might just keep The Sarah Connor Chronicles around for a bit. I'm hoping they do. Lena Headey, from Imagine Me & You and other films, is playing Sarah Connor, the role made known by Linda Hamilton.
I love Linda, and I loved her as Sarah Connor. She was also amazing in the television series, Beauty & The Beast, if anyone remembers that show. I'm curious to see Lena's take on the role. In other terminator news, McG has just signed on to direct the next Terminator film, Terminator 4. We will finally get to see the war with the machines that has only been talked about since the first film came out over twenty years ago. Exciting to me as a fan.
Reality TV Goes On
The strike isn't going to stop American Idol it looks like. The series is already filming its Hollywood week, or it just did. The series will return January 15th, and the search for the seventh American Idol will go on. I always wonder about the people that go to try out for these things. When I was younger, I had dreams of becoming a dancer. I knew I wouldn't do it, but one can always dream. There are people out there that make it their job in life to get that big break. They want to act, sing, dance or even model. You see people go and audition for American Idol hoping to get seen and make it somehow. Just yesterday, I saw there was a casting call for the new Star Trek movie. They are looking for fresh faces to play the cadets at Starfleet.
I just really can't imagine trying to find a job like that. Writing is hard enough. There are jobs out there. If you want to be the next big thing there are agents that want you. The trick is getting their attention. They see people every day that say they are the next big thing, but they fall short. You need to stand out. Just doing a quick search online I found Talent Rock. There are agents always looking for new talent. They don't give up. I'm sure there are many sites out there. Just like there are many sites for writers like myself to get noticed. If you want to get anywhere in any business, you need to stand out though. You can't let people come to you. You need to go the people. Get known. That's the only way it will work.
More On The Strike
Stephanie over at the Divas Forum posted some snippets from a Canadian article about television and which shows are affected and how. It is quite an extensive list, so I'll link to the article here.
The ones that stood out to me are below:
Cane (Global, CBS) - All 13 episodes are expected to be ready, although filming was disrupted briefly Monday and the production moved to a different location. No more episodes have been ordered.
Grey's Anatomy (CTV, ABC - 10 episodes are expected to be ready, though production on a two-part episode scheduled for Dec. 6 and Dec. 13 may be suspended ahead of time.
Heroes (Global, NBC) - 11 episodes are ready, with the final new episode to air Dec. 3.
Lost (CTV, ABC) - Nine of 16 episodes are expected to be ready. Scheduled for midseason; no debut date as yet.
Moonlight (CTV, CBS) - 12 of an initial 13 episodes will be ready. No more episodes have been ordered.
Update for Lost fans:
ABC said that as of now, it is sticking with its plan to air the eight episodes it has of "Lost" -- this coming on the day that Fox announced that it will bench its own serialized midseason thriller, "24".
"Lost" executive producer Damon Lindelof said Wednesday that the final episode that has been written ends in a cliffhanger that will not be resolved for viewers until after the strike. But Fox decided not to run a partial season of "24", instead benching the Monday-night drama pending the outcome of the strike.
From: here.
Signs Of A Productive Mind
I'm exhausted tonight, but it is the good type of exhausted. As you can see by this blog, I'm writing a lot more, and that's a good thing. I just need to start writing fiction again. One thing at a time. My mind is working again though. I actually want to write things. I find myself holding back from coming here to write about things, but I know that is counter productive. If I have the urge to say something I should. So for now, that is what I'm going to do.
Tonight, I watched two hours of Ghost Hunters. One of them containing the findings from last week's six hour Halloween special. I missed stuff in the last couple of hours by going to bed early. The place they went to was creepy. The show is probably majorly fake, but I enjoy it. I know I'm not the only one either.
As far as strike news goes, it looks like Grey's Anatomy will stop production next week sometime. The majority of the cast headed out to support the picketing writers during their lunch break today. I'd heard of just Sandra Oh going out, but others did to. Here is a picture of Katherine Heigl. She plays Izzie Stevens on the series, and she is one of the main reasons why I watch the show.
Catching Up
You know what I've noticed with the strike? It is letting me catch up with my television. I think I have episodes of Supernatural, a couple of Cane and last week's Moonlight and Ugly Betty to watch before I'm all caught up. Earlier, I watched this week's The Unit. I normally don't like watching military type programs or movies, but The Unit grabs me. This week, the final moments where Williams dies practically killed me because I didn't see him dying at all. I love when television shows or movies can come at you with something you didn't see coming.
I ordered Black Hawk Down the other day, and it has been shipped. I went and found a deal on the special 3 disc edition on E-bay. I can't wait for that to arrive. I have some other things coming in the mail too. I've had some extra money the last few days, so I'm spoiling myself a little. It feels good to do. I love books and DVD's, and I know how to find the best deals online now. You just need to look for them.
The Strike Goes On
I know I've been talking a lot about the writer's strike lately, but as a writer, an entertainment writer and as a viewer, the topic interests me. This is day three of the strike, and it isn't looking good. Stories keep coming out about some of our favorites shows. This is what I know right now.
→ Sandra Oh from Grey's Anatomy reportedly joined the picketers today. The cast has three or four shows ready to air, but if the strike goes on past that, we might not have any new Grey's in the new year.
→ The end of the current story arc for Heroes in December might also mean the end of this season of Heroes.
→ If the strike continues, Lost fans might not see any new Lost until Fall 2008, or the very latest Winter 2009. I really hope it doesn't come to that. I've been going throught Lost withdrawals.
I've lost count on how many shows have stopped production. Big Brother is reportedly coming back with a special Winter edition to help fill in. We might see more reality series in our future. We just have to cross our fingers and hope for the best.
Just one of those days!
First the shower goes cold, then I keep getting this same email from one of the sites I signed up at a couple of weeks ago, and then I spilled a drink all over myself. Definitely one of those days you wonder if you broke a mirror some place and you just don't realize it. Oh well. The day goes on. I've been getting back to my old routine as far as blogging goes. It keeps me focused. I hopped around a bit, checked out some news sites.
Tonight is Dancing With The Stars, and we will see who is sent home this week. Sabrina was sent home last week, and everyone was shocked. Last night, those left showed their support with small cheetah paw print tattoos. The kind that wash off of course. Word has been released that since she was eliminated last week, she she begun to see her partner in a romantic sense. This has happened in the past with the show. I am pretty Mario Lopez and his partner had some kind of relationship. I don't follow up on things like that, but they looked pretty cozy during their season. Just in the last hour, I heard that Marie Osmond's father passed away. I am pretty sure this news will hit her hard, and there is no telling if she will appear on tonight's episode. Jane Seymour lost her mother during this season as well. My thoughts are with Marie and her family. I think Donny was in the audience last night to. Either last night or last week. I know I saw him there in support of Marie recently.
Another interesting little tidbit out of the news that caught my eye is about Radiohead's latest release, In Rainbows. The group offered their CD online last night via their own website saying fans could pay what they think they should for the digital release of the CD. Over sixty percent paid nothing for the download. Ouch! The remaining number paid six dollars or lower. I haven't heard the CD for myself, but that is just amazing to me. Goes to show you that maybe new media isn't all it is cracked up to be. The WGA is on strike looking for revenue from these online ventures, and people won't even pay for a CD. The strike is on day two as of now, and I know of three more shows that have stopped filming altogether until the strike ends. Two of those shows being Fox's 'Til Death and CBS' Rules of Engagement. Just heard that production has halted on Desperate Housewives as well. Hopefully things are resolved soon.
On Strike: WGA
I am sure most have heard about this already, but the writer's involved with our television shows and movies headed out on strike this morning at 12:01am. We had picketers outside studios in both New York and Los Angeles, including celebrities such as Tina Fey and Jay Leno. At least, I saw him speaking in one of the interviews I saw on Fox News a bit ago. What does this mean for the television viewer like myself and others? Television can possibly end up getting quite interesting.
The Heroes spin-off has already been canned because of the strike, the final six episodes of Scrubs are in jeopardy. One behind the scenes person at Heroes has already left after he was asked to cut story lines and make major script changes this weekend before the strike went into effect. Late night television shows are on repeats as of tonight. For now, prime time television is safe because series have prepared in advance, but if the strike continues on this could be a problem. Soap operas might be the next to be effected in the next week or two.
One article on this I read this morning said that the winter television market can end up looking like summer if the strike goes on too long. We could be in for a lot of reality television. The last strike lasted six months. Hollywood itself won't be affected soon. Movies will continue to be filmed, but there will be no on the spot re-writes if they are needed. Scripts will be shot as is. This could lead to poorer movie content hitting the big screen next year. We just have to cross our fingers it doesn't last too long.
Why are they going on strike? One word, money. They want their share of new media. New media? What is that? Internet for one. In the last couple of years, television shows and movies have become available for purchase online. The writers see none of that revenue. They want that to change, and until it does they will walk the picket lines. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. I know I'll miss my television if shows start to slowly go into repeat because of no new material.
Ghost Hunters Live
Forgot to mention this in my earlier post, but no I didn't make it all the way through Ghost Hunters Live. After about four hours in, I crashed. I even had my brother watching for a bit, but he gave in way before I did. It looked fake to him. I love that stuff though. Next week they have the reveal. I know Steve at least had one freaky experience.
Thoughts on Moonlight
One of my favorite shows this season is Moonlight. I am in love with all things supernatural, so that makes sense. However, Moonlight isn't like other vampire shows. It has its own mythic lore about vampires, and that is what makes me so interested. I know I've thought Mick was done for when it got staked. Plus, that Alex O'loughin is a hottie. What is it with me and Australian men? Hah!
Private Practice renewed?
Yesterday, I was shocked to hear the new series was renewed already for its second season. Yes, I know its a spin-off from Grey's Anatomy. We all know how much I love that show. I can sing its praises until the cows come home, but after watching the first two episodes of Private Practice I had no desire to watch anymore. They have essentially ruined Addison's character. I love Kate Walsh, but they have turned Addison into Meredith Grey in Los Angeles. This is not the same woman that waltzed in at the end of season one of Grey's Anatomy to confront her husband. A far cry from it actually. I know I'm not the only fan that feels this way. I've seen others say the same thing. Yet, now we know we are almost assured a second season of this show, and I just can't believe that. As for Grey's Anatomy, after a slow start last night's episode reminded me why I loved Grey's in the first place. I was at the edge of my seat waiting for what was going to happen next, and the previews for next week look like more of the same. I can't wait. If you missed it, it should be up on iTunes soon!
Some quick TV thoughts
Yesterday, I watched the first two episodes of Cane, which is on CBS on Tuesday nights following The Unit. I kept meaning to watch it, but I think watching two episodes at once gives you the better feel of a new series to see if I want to put the effort into more. Cane stood up to my test, and I'll be watching more. It is about a Cuban family that runs a business, in what appears to be Miami. We have brothers and sisters and children all mixing about. It sort of has the upper class feel of Brothers & Sisters, and a similar story line to that series with one of the sons going off to Iraq, but other than those small plot points I found myself enjoyng the series. I hadn't had a good Hispanic series on television for awhile. I'm thinking back to Resurrection Blvd on Showtime for anyone that remembers that. Ugly Betty seems to poke fun at the culture. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Cane. Next up for me to watch, Private Practice. I'm off to do that now.
442. Daybreak Thoughts
Last night, I began to watch the newest ABC series, Daybreak. I didn't finish the two hour episode last night, and that might give you an idea of what I think of the new show. For some reason, it just didn't hold my complete interest. It had its moments, but they didn't make for an enjoyable experience over all. For those that missed the series, it is the story of Brett Hopper as he lives the same day over and over again. Some events are the same, but once he realizes what is happening to him, he begins to try and change those events from ever happening. The day begins with him being framed for the murder of an Assistant District Attorney. His girlfriend is also killed, and preventing this becomes a focus for Hopper. All this while he tries to live on to the next day. The premise of the series is different and it had promise for me. I'm just not sure this series will be able to keep things exciting over the long haul, which is eleven weeks. ABC has made it clear this series will only last thirteen episodes. The premiere was two episodes, so we have eleven left to go. Once this series is done, Lost makes its return. Now that is something I will be waiting for! All in all, I'll watch Daybreak again next week, but we'll have to see what happens passed that.
430. Thursday Night Viewing
Thursday night is my favorite night on television. I seem to wait all week for it to happen. Last week, the World Series through a monkey wrench into my favorite night, but the shows were all back last night. I got my weekly fixes of Grey's Anatomy and ER, and this made me happy. I was watching last night, and I had a thought come to me. The medical people on these shows all tend to wear the same boring scrubs. You see the light blue and the dark blue. I think at one point Meredith on Grey's Anatomy wore maroon. You would think on television they would spice up things a bit. Scrubs are so easy to buy. At my local mall just a few miles away, they even have a shop that only sells scrubs. I took a peek one day, and there is such a selection to choose from.
Just now, I did a quick search online, and I found this site that sells medical scrubs. Some of the tops don't even really look like medical scrubs. This top for example. Looks perfect for a day out to the movies or to lunch. I think I could see Grey's Anatomy Izzie wearing something like that actually. What about Abby on ER? I could totally see her wearing a top like this one. I've heard scrubs are so comfortable too. Maybe I'll pick myself up a top at least some time. I'm all about comfort as I lounge about the house.
Back to last night's shows though. Sweeps are underway, so that means the shows are throwing out their best at us. Salma Hayek popped up topless on last night's Ugly Betty, and last night's Supernatural was probably the best all season. Yes, I still love my television. I have no idea what I'm going to do when I lose Lost until February! I'm not liking this new season being broken up so much. Now, I'm waiting for Fox to put next week's OC online. I mentioned I saw that earlier this week. Good stuff. We'll have to see where they take things next.