I mumbled to my wife, “Well, tonight's “Jon& Kate Plus Eight” is absolutely, positively, the final episode.”
Her reply? “Good.” Then we watched the show, and at the end I looked over and she was wiping tears away, just as Kate was doing the same during her final “couch interview.” elated Stories
Kate had just repeated for about the umpteenth time during the episode phrases like “it didn't have to end,” and “I feel like its being taken away from me and the kids,” and “it's too soon for the show to end.”
Then they showed a montage of clips ranging from Kate's grotesquely large stomach when she was pregnant with the sextuplets, to the babies in their cribs, to her and Jon playing with the kids during much happier times.
And I turned to my wife and remarked, “yeah, but the show really had to end after the fiasco of the past year.”
She then replied, “well, when you write about it, try not to be too sarcastic.”
Being an obedient husband, I will try to be nice, but it's difficult. Very difficult.
Again I have to mention, as I did last week, that Jon and TLC are involved in back and forth law suits, and it is obvious that the show's producers are doing everything possible to portray Kate as the innocent victim and Jon as the villain.
Last night the episode titled “It's a Crazy Life, but It's Our Life,” started off with a close up of the sign Jon posted on the gate of their estate saying that the TLC crew was now banned from shooting any more footage on their property; therefore pointing out that it's Jon's fault that the show is ending.
For the past month, “J&K” episodes have focused on poor Kate sitting on the interview couch, telling her side of the story, answering viewers' questions, and commenting on the viewers' choices of their favorite moments.
Last night Jon finally was given a chance to talk, and his interview was edited down to a minute or two, in which he “confessed” his sins. While Kate was perfectly coiffed and dressed, Jon looked somewhat disheveled, and while listening to his acceptance of blame, I was reminded of videotapes of American prisoners in Iraq being forced to confess while hooded figures loomed in the background threatening to behead them.
Jon stated while wringing his hands “I think I became more educated about myself and what I've learned the past couple months about myself. I always looked for blame and I never really took blame and now I'm taking blame. I can own up to it, I gotta stop being a kid; I gotta grow up and be a man.”
Jon then related that he had gotten married at 22 and when he was “free” last year he reverted back to being 23 and didn't think about the consequences of his actions. (It was hard to tell if Jon was reading off a teleprompter.)
Following this “confession,” Kate calmly explained “I've been thrown in the same boat with Jon, but I'm in a completely different boat, going in a completely different direction.” Good for you Kate.
So now we get it…everything that happened in the past year was due to Jon's immaturity.
To further belabor the point, Kate went on to say she somewhat distrusted Jon's behavior with the kids. They then cut to a scene in which nine year old Maddy whines “I like stuff we do with Mommy.” Jon then loses it, yells at Maddy and Cara, and punishes them by forbidding them from accompanying the family to the firehouse where they will be setting up a lemonade stand.
Of course we all know that Kate never yells at the kids (oops sorry, I am being sarcastic again).
But the topper of it all was that after Jon and the sextuplets sold lemonade to raise money for local firefighters, Kate questioned his motives and had the nerve to actually ask “Is it a publicity stunt?” Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!
The final Gosselin family adventure involved Kate taking just the sextuplets to a neighbor's farm, where everyone had a great time milking cows and playing with kittens. Of course Kate had to point out that that the reason Maddy and Cara did not accompany them was because they were in school, and she would definitely be taking the twins on a separate trip to the neighbor's farm.
Anyway, that was the series finale, and I predict that the next time we see Kate Gosselin she will be starring in her own talk show, probably on TLC. Hey didn't Oprah announce that she will be ending her show in 2011?
And poor Jon will probably wind up on a future episode of “Celebrity Rehab.”
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
'Curb' Finale was 'Prettay, Prettay Good,' but...
I don't know exactly what I was expecting, but I felt just a little disappointed by last night's season 7 finale of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” titled “Seinfeld.” Yes, it was so ballyhooed, for that reason alone it had to be just a bit of a letdown.
After all, few things in life match or exceed something that one looks forward to with as much anticipation as I did last night's final Seinfeld reunion show. (Like Christmas when you are six years old.) Although since I felt last week's show was close to perfect (I would give it a nine), I just hoped that last night's finale would achieve total perfection. (But ten's are very rare, except on “Dancing with the Stars.”)
But it didn't quite make it. Then again, it far exceeded the much hyped “Seinfeld” finale of 11 years ago, which most people were disappointed in, and which Larry himself mocked in last night's show.
LD seems to write best when he just deals with the mundane annoyances of life. When he tries to knock one out of the park he sometimes swings too hard and pops up. However, saying he “popped up” last night would not be fair. Let's say he lined a double off the wall, while I was hoping for a home run.
So I will try and be positive. After all, the show within a show “Seinfeld reunion” was actually pretty funny, and had the basics of what would be a very good episode. In fact I found myself yearning for more of the “Seinfeld” stuff. George losing the millions that he made from the “iToilet” (I assume that is how it would have been spelled) to Bernie Madoff was a great plot twist.
And I think everyone watching would want to know more details about Elaine's child who was born thanks to a “sperm donation” by Uncle Jerry. Exactly how did that “donation” take place?
As for the “Curb” portion of the show, that is where I felt a little let down. The “favor” exchange with Mocha Joe was a little far-fetched, as was Jason Alexander walking off the show because he didn't like the alternate ending that Larry wrote.
“Having said that,” as usual I loved the scenes with Jeff's wife Susie, screaming at Larry about the coffee ring stain on her antique table. Nobody recreates the “wife from Hell” (and I will credit Richard Lewis for inventing that expression) better.
But let's examine the whole Larry being jealous of Jason's interactions with Cheryl. Certainly a psychiatrist would have a field day analyzing Larry's over the top reactions. After all, Jason was merely playing the part of George, who Larry had based upon himself. Watching Larry attempting to replace Jason and imitate George, who is Larry's alter ego, was very intriguing. That is one scene I plan on watching over several times.
Remember, the major plot arc of the season was not so much the so-called “Seinfeld reunion,” but rather Larry planning the reunion in one of his twisted machinations to win Cheryl back. And the final scene, where he does win her back, sort of, but then begins to demonstrate the same neurotic behavior that drove her away in the first place, was fascinating and funny.
Finally, stepping back from this one episode and examining the show from Larry David's real life perspective, outside of both “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” offers an interesting exercise in trying to separate art from reality.
After all in real life, Larry David and his wife Laurie (who is an environmental activist and was actually the producer of Al Gore's Oscar-winning documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth”), really did split up a few years ago. And I understand that Larry really did plan for season 6, which ended with Larry and the Black (that's their name) family living “happily ever after” to be the series finale of “Curb.”
Season 6 actually aired two years ago and supposedly it took HBO executives almost a year to finally talk Larry David into signing on for two more seasons of “Curb.” So it sort of made sense that Larry would have to get Cheryl back in season 7, and that is the real reason that he concocted this “meshugas” scheme to win her back.
It will be very interesting to see what Larry comes up with as a story arc for season 8. Having done the “Seinfeld reunion” thing, I can't imagine what it will entail.
But I can hardly wait. So let me be the first to begin the over the top hype for next season, so I can probably be a bit disappointed yet again. After all that is what happens when you are a Larry David addict.
After all, few things in life match or exceed something that one looks forward to with as much anticipation as I did last night's final Seinfeld reunion show. (Like Christmas when you are six years old.) Although since I felt last week's show was close to perfect (I would give it a nine), I just hoped that last night's finale would achieve total perfection. (But ten's are very rare, except on “Dancing with the Stars.”)
But it didn't quite make it. Then again, it far exceeded the much hyped “Seinfeld” finale of 11 years ago, which most people were disappointed in, and which Larry himself mocked in last night's show.
LD seems to write best when he just deals with the mundane annoyances of life. When he tries to knock one out of the park he sometimes swings too hard and pops up. However, saying he “popped up” last night would not be fair. Let's say he lined a double off the wall, while I was hoping for a home run.
So I will try and be positive. After all, the show within a show “Seinfeld reunion” was actually pretty funny, and had the basics of what would be a very good episode. In fact I found myself yearning for more of the “Seinfeld” stuff. George losing the millions that he made from the “iToilet” (I assume that is how it would have been spelled) to Bernie Madoff was a great plot twist.
And I think everyone watching would want to know more details about Elaine's child who was born thanks to a “sperm donation” by Uncle Jerry. Exactly how did that “donation” take place?
As for the “Curb” portion of the show, that is where I felt a little let down. The “favor” exchange with Mocha Joe was a little far-fetched, as was Jason Alexander walking off the show because he didn't like the alternate ending that Larry wrote.
“Having said that,” as usual I loved the scenes with Jeff's wife Susie, screaming at Larry about the coffee ring stain on her antique table. Nobody recreates the “wife from Hell” (and I will credit Richard Lewis for inventing that expression) better.
But let's examine the whole Larry being jealous of Jason's interactions with Cheryl. Certainly a psychiatrist would have a field day analyzing Larry's over the top reactions. After all, Jason was merely playing the part of George, who Larry had based upon himself. Watching Larry attempting to replace Jason and imitate George, who is Larry's alter ego, was very intriguing. That is one scene I plan on watching over several times.
Remember, the major plot arc of the season was not so much the so-called “Seinfeld reunion,” but rather Larry planning the reunion in one of his twisted machinations to win Cheryl back. And the final scene, where he does win her back, sort of, but then begins to demonstrate the same neurotic behavior that drove her away in the first place, was fascinating and funny.
Finally, stepping back from this one episode and examining the show from Larry David's real life perspective, outside of both “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” offers an interesting exercise in trying to separate art from reality.
After all in real life, Larry David and his wife Laurie (who is an environmental activist and was actually the producer of Al Gore's Oscar-winning documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth”), really did split up a few years ago. And I understand that Larry really did plan for season 6, which ended with Larry and the Black (that's their name) family living “happily ever after” to be the series finale of “Curb.”
Season 6 actually aired two years ago and supposedly it took HBO executives almost a year to finally talk Larry David into signing on for two more seasons of “Curb.” So it sort of made sense that Larry would have to get Cheryl back in season 7, and that is the real reason that he concocted this “meshugas” scheme to win her back.
It will be very interesting to see what Larry comes up with as a story arc for season 8. Having done the “Seinfeld reunion” thing, I can't imagine what it will entail.
But I can hardly wait. So let me be the first to begin the over the top hype for next season, so I can probably be a bit disappointed yet again. After all that is what happens when you are a Larry David addict.
Friday, November 20, 2009
'Lost' to Premiere on Groundhog Day!
Now we know when the sixth and final season of “Lost” will begin. According to the ABC press release, the show will debut on Tuesday, February 2. The evening will kick off at 8 pm with a one-hour recap, followed by a two-hour premiere episode.
I am one of those obsessed “Lost” fans who analyze and dissect every fact connected with “Lost.” So what immediately jumped out at me is the realization that February 2 is Groundhog Day! Coincidence? I think not.
Actually the movie “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell has always been one of my favorites. And what is the main theme of “Groundhog Day?” Simply that Murray's weatherman character Phil Connors MUST relive the day over and over until he “gets it right.” That is, he stops being a conceited a-hole and matures into a warm, caring, almost heroic person.
And his efforts to woo and win over his assistant Rita also evolve, as his initial obnoxious, caveman-like efforts are totally rebuffed, until he finally learns to listen to her, understand her, and mature into a responsive, sincere, self confident human being…without losing his sense of humor.
It is the perfect analogous movie for the final season of “Lost” to emulate. For example several of his repeated “Groundhog Days” end with Phil attempting to kill himself, but he always wakes up the following day. Sound familiar, doesn't it? Remember, “Lost's” season five ended with everyone on the island being blown up by a hydrogen bomb that they intentionally set off!
And let's talk about how he wakes up, precisely at 6 am with his alarm clock radio going off blaring Sonny and Cher's song “I Got You Babe.” I can think of several “Lost” episodes that began with someone waking up to music, including Dr. Chang at the beginning of last season's finale.
I will go out on a limb and predict that season six's opening scene will include a sleeping person being woken up by a song playing on the radio. If that song happens to be “I Got You Babe,” (or any Sonny and Cher song, since “Lost's” producers tend to be somewhat subtle) well, I think I should be moved into the “Lost” Super Fan Hall of Fame!
Also take a look at the way that Phil changed and evolved to finally win over Rita. Is this what Jack must now do to become the man that Kate always thought he could become and truly love?
(Aside from “Lost,” a lot of men who wonder why women continuously blow them off could learn a lesson or two by watching how Phil matures in the movie.)
I am sure there are other tie-ins between “Groundhog Day” and “Lost,” and I certainly plan on renting the movie and watching it before February 2, 2010.
Overall, both “Groundhog Day” and “Lost” contain the similar theme of some mysterious outside force causing the main characters to do things over until they “get it right.”
I have also tried to examine the significance of “Lost” moving from its usual Wednesday evening time slot to Tuesdays. There is some Internet speculation the move is simply because ABC has finally developed a strong Wednesday, 9:00 lineup, with “Modern Family” followed by “Cougar Town.”
But I keep coming back to the fact that since Groundhog Day falls on a Tuesday next year, the move was absolutely necessary.
What do you think?
I am one of those obsessed “Lost” fans who analyze and dissect every fact connected with “Lost.” So what immediately jumped out at me is the realization that February 2 is Groundhog Day! Coincidence? I think not.
Actually the movie “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell has always been one of my favorites. And what is the main theme of “Groundhog Day?” Simply that Murray's weatherman character Phil Connors MUST relive the day over and over until he “gets it right.” That is, he stops being a conceited a-hole and matures into a warm, caring, almost heroic person.
And his efforts to woo and win over his assistant Rita also evolve, as his initial obnoxious, caveman-like efforts are totally rebuffed, until he finally learns to listen to her, understand her, and mature into a responsive, sincere, self confident human being…without losing his sense of humor.
It is the perfect analogous movie for the final season of “Lost” to emulate. For example several of his repeated “Groundhog Days” end with Phil attempting to kill himself, but he always wakes up the following day. Sound familiar, doesn't it? Remember, “Lost's” season five ended with everyone on the island being blown up by a hydrogen bomb that they intentionally set off!
And let's talk about how he wakes up, precisely at 6 am with his alarm clock radio going off blaring Sonny and Cher's song “I Got You Babe.” I can think of several “Lost” episodes that began with someone waking up to music, including Dr. Chang at the beginning of last season's finale.
I will go out on a limb and predict that season six's opening scene will include a sleeping person being woken up by a song playing on the radio. If that song happens to be “I Got You Babe,” (or any Sonny and Cher song, since “Lost's” producers tend to be somewhat subtle) well, I think I should be moved into the “Lost” Super Fan Hall of Fame!
Also take a look at the way that Phil changed and evolved to finally win over Rita. Is this what Jack must now do to become the man that Kate always thought he could become and truly love?
(Aside from “Lost,” a lot of men who wonder why women continuously blow them off could learn a lesson or two by watching how Phil matures in the movie.)
I am sure there are other tie-ins between “Groundhog Day” and “Lost,” and I certainly plan on renting the movie and watching it before February 2, 2010.
Overall, both “Groundhog Day” and “Lost” contain the similar theme of some mysterious outside force causing the main characters to do things over until they “get it right.”
I have also tried to examine the significance of “Lost” moving from its usual Wednesday evening time slot to Tuesdays. There is some Internet speculation the move is simply because ABC has finally developed a strong Wednesday, 9:00 lineup, with “Modern Family” followed by “Cougar Town.”
But I keep coming back to the fact that since Groundhog Day falls on a Tuesday next year, the move was absolutely necessary.
What do you think?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Hey Fed Up Baseball Fans!
Are you a baseball fan who is fed up today with the players jumping from team to team, as they chase ridiculous contracts that pay them more in a single season than most of us will earn over a lifetime?
Are you also someone disgusted with the fact that in order to pay today's players those obscene contracts, that prices for tickets, concessions, and parking means that a family of four has to take out a loan to attend a major league game?
And do you agree with Jerry Seinfeld that we as fans are basically just “rooting for laundry” these days?
Then I suggest that you check out the MLB (Major League Baseball) Network, broadcast in HD. I barely watched the station during the past baseball season. However, the other night I was channel surfing and just as I happened to light on the MLB network, they were about to broadcast a film about the 1948 World Series.
Now I should mention that I am a life-long Cleveland Indians fan, which means I have suffered a great deal of pain and anguish during my lifetime. But in 1948 the Tribe actually won the World Series! While my father had told my brother and I stories about the Indians defeating the old Boston Braves in six games, I had never actually seen one minute of footage from that series.
This was before the World Series was televised nationally, and the film, apparently made to be shown in movie theatres, was in grainy black and white, with cheesy sound effects; for example a loud “clunk” every time the bat hit the ball.
I was mesmerized, drowning in nostalgia. Not only because I saw live action of many of my boyhood heroes, such as Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Larry Doby (the first black player to play in the American League), Jim Hegan, Dale Mitchell, and player-manager Lou Boudreau.
But it was also fascinating seeing shots of the old Braves Field (which today is the home of Nickerson Field where Boston University plays its football and soccer games), Cleveland's old Municipal Stadium, where I went as a kid to watch Indians and Cleveland Browns games…AND Fenway Park. Yes the film opened with highlights of the Indians defeating the Red Sox 8-3 in the one-game playoff to capture the AL Pennant. Crowd shots were also fascinating, as most of the men in the stands were wearing ties and jackets along with fedora hats. Nobody was dressed in an over-priced, “official” MLB baseball hat or jersey. Many of the women were wearing hats with veils and fur stoles, and almost everyone had a cigarette or cigar hanging out of their mouth.
After watching the 1948 World Series, I then sat and viewed a film of the 1949 World Series highlights, between the NY Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers.
What struck me most was the fact that these teams were truly teams, not a bunch of free agents glued together by multi-million dollar contracts. Even today I can recite off the top of my head many of the players who comprised the lineups for the Yankees and Dodgers in the late 1940s and through the 50s.
Let's see, for the Yankees there was Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio (replaced in 1951 by a rookie named Mickey Mantle), Billy Martin, Phil Rizutto, Hank Bauer, Gene Wooding, Whitey Ford, and Allie Reynolds. And the Dodgers of the era featured Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Peewee Reese, Carl Furillo, Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, Don Newcombe, and Carl Erskine.
I seriously doubt I could as quickly name as many players who played for the 2009 versions of the Yankees and (now Los Angeles) Dodgers. And does it really matter, as many of those players probably will be wearing the laundry of a different team in 2010?
So I went on-line and checked out the schedule of the MLB Network, and while there are many shows analyzing modern baseball, I noted that they have managed to acquire films of old All Star Games (when the annual contest between the American League stars and the National League stars really meant something), many other World Series, and recaps of exciting past seasons from bygone eras.
So if you are a baseball fan and one night you can't find anything worthwhile to watch on the tube, I suggest you locate the MLB Network, crack open a YooHoo chocolate drink with your son or daughter, and show them what baseball was like in the good old days, when it truly was a game and not a business.
Are you also someone disgusted with the fact that in order to pay today's players those obscene contracts, that prices for tickets, concessions, and parking means that a family of four has to take out a loan to attend a major league game?
And do you agree with Jerry Seinfeld that we as fans are basically just “rooting for laundry” these days?
Then I suggest that you check out the MLB (Major League Baseball) Network, broadcast in HD. I barely watched the station during the past baseball season. However, the other night I was channel surfing and just as I happened to light on the MLB network, they were about to broadcast a film about the 1948 World Series.
Now I should mention that I am a life-long Cleveland Indians fan, which means I have suffered a great deal of pain and anguish during my lifetime. But in 1948 the Tribe actually won the World Series! While my father had told my brother and I stories about the Indians defeating the old Boston Braves in six games, I had never actually seen one minute of footage from that series.
This was before the World Series was televised nationally, and the film, apparently made to be shown in movie theatres, was in grainy black and white, with cheesy sound effects; for example a loud “clunk” every time the bat hit the ball.
I was mesmerized, drowning in nostalgia. Not only because I saw live action of many of my boyhood heroes, such as Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Larry Doby (the first black player to play in the American League), Jim Hegan, Dale Mitchell, and player-manager Lou Boudreau.
But it was also fascinating seeing shots of the old Braves Field (which today is the home of Nickerson Field where Boston University plays its football and soccer games), Cleveland's old Municipal Stadium, where I went as a kid to watch Indians and Cleveland Browns games…AND Fenway Park. Yes the film opened with highlights of the Indians defeating the Red Sox 8-3 in the one-game playoff to capture the AL Pennant. Crowd shots were also fascinating, as most of the men in the stands were wearing ties and jackets along with fedora hats. Nobody was dressed in an over-priced, “official” MLB baseball hat or jersey. Many of the women were wearing hats with veils and fur stoles, and almost everyone had a cigarette or cigar hanging out of their mouth.
After watching the 1948 World Series, I then sat and viewed a film of the 1949 World Series highlights, between the NY Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers.
What struck me most was the fact that these teams were truly teams, not a bunch of free agents glued together by multi-million dollar contracts. Even today I can recite off the top of my head many of the players who comprised the lineups for the Yankees and Dodgers in the late 1940s and through the 50s.
Let's see, for the Yankees there was Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio (replaced in 1951 by a rookie named Mickey Mantle), Billy Martin, Phil Rizutto, Hank Bauer, Gene Wooding, Whitey Ford, and Allie Reynolds. And the Dodgers of the era featured Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Peewee Reese, Carl Furillo, Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, Don Newcombe, and Carl Erskine.
I seriously doubt I could as quickly name as many players who played for the 2009 versions of the Yankees and (now Los Angeles) Dodgers. And does it really matter, as many of those players probably will be wearing the laundry of a different team in 2010?
So I went on-line and checked out the schedule of the MLB Network, and while there are many shows analyzing modern baseball, I noted that they have managed to acquire films of old All Star Games (when the annual contest between the American League stars and the National League stars really meant something), many other World Series, and recaps of exciting past seasons from bygone eras.
So if you are a baseball fan and one night you can't find anything worthwhile to watch on the tube, I suggest you locate the MLB Network, crack open a YooHoo chocolate drink with your son or daughter, and show them what baseball was like in the good old days, when it truly was a game and not a business.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
TLC Airs Biased 'Jon & Kate' Episode
It's all over the news, at least in the “Jon & Kate” world, that TLC is suing Jon and Jon is counter-suing TLC…or something like that. It really doesn't matter who is suing whom.
So I wasn't surprised that in Monday's penultimate (a fancy word for second to last) episode of “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” the show was edited to portray Jon Gosselin in the worst possible light.
The episode, titled “Broken Dreams, Broken Promises, Broken Episodes” included footage shot over the past nine months that were going to be parts of various episodes, but were never aired for a variety of reasons; the main one being that the show's ratings are in the toilet.
I can just envision Kate and the TLC executives chuckling and editing the footage to depict Jon as lazy and irresponsible and Kate as a burgeoning rock star. Now I am certainly not defending Jon or his actions over the past year. But last night's show was so one-sided that it can be compared to Fox News coverage of an Obama health care speech.
(OK, I will try and be fair and balanced. Last night's show was so one-sided that it can be compared to MSNBC coverage of a Sarah Palin press conference. Everyone happy?)
The two most anti-Jon segments (which I am sure Kate's lawyers will try and enter as evidence if their divorce somehow goes to trial), were one called “Dog Training” and one called “Soccer and Swimming.”
In the former, Kate says “I kind of left it (the dog training) to him and not a lot of training occurred,” implying that it was Jon's laziness that led to the family having to return the two German Shepherds to the kennel. Kate added “It takes a whole lot of work, energy, training and time…and as the dogs got bigger they got worse.”
There were also shots of Jon manning the electronic dog collars for the dogs followed by Kate (probably auditioning for her inevitable talk show) then quipping “maybe we should have used a collar for other people.”
In the “Soccer and Swimming” segment Kate complained that Jon doesn't do “projects” with the kids, followed by a shot of Maddy whining “I don't want to play with Daddy.” Kate added that “he is on the phone a lot.” Cut to a shot of one of the little girls begging Jon for a Popsicle, while he ignores her and texts on his cell phone. Kate then asserted that Jon's phone usage involves calls to “friends,” while when she is on the phone it involves work.
There was also a rather lengthy shot of Jon yakking it up with the evil paparazzi while the kids wanted to go swimming.
Moreover, to demonstrate how popular Kate is with her fans, there was a segment titled “Book Tour” that showed her speaking before a cheering throng at a Southern Women's Conference in North Carolina and later at a book signing where one couple admitted to standing in line for 12 hours to finally meet their idol!
Finally we all saw how big Kate's heart is, as she prepared dinner for the families at the Ronald McDonald House, and later announced that “dinner is served from ‘Jon and Kate Plus Eight'…minus Jon.” Of course the TLC crew laughed at all of her quips.
So now only one episode remains, and supposedly it will include both Jon and Kate together, and according to a report in the NY Post, this “sitdown” will "provide new insights on their recent life events" and forecast "what the future holds for them and their eight children.”
I hope things turn out better than Michael Corleone's “sitdown” with Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey in “The Godfather.” Watch out Jon if Kate excuses herself to go to the bathroom!
So I wasn't surprised that in Monday's penultimate (a fancy word for second to last) episode of “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” the show was edited to portray Jon Gosselin in the worst possible light.
The episode, titled “Broken Dreams, Broken Promises, Broken Episodes” included footage shot over the past nine months that were going to be parts of various episodes, but were never aired for a variety of reasons; the main one being that the show's ratings are in the toilet.
I can just envision Kate and the TLC executives chuckling and editing the footage to depict Jon as lazy and irresponsible and Kate as a burgeoning rock star. Now I am certainly not defending Jon or his actions over the past year. But last night's show was so one-sided that it can be compared to Fox News coverage of an Obama health care speech.
(OK, I will try and be fair and balanced. Last night's show was so one-sided that it can be compared to MSNBC coverage of a Sarah Palin press conference. Everyone happy?)
The two most anti-Jon segments (which I am sure Kate's lawyers will try and enter as evidence if their divorce somehow goes to trial), were one called “Dog Training” and one called “Soccer and Swimming.”
In the former, Kate says “I kind of left it (the dog training) to him and not a lot of training occurred,” implying that it was Jon's laziness that led to the family having to return the two German Shepherds to the kennel. Kate added “It takes a whole lot of work, energy, training and time…and as the dogs got bigger they got worse.”
There were also shots of Jon manning the electronic dog collars for the dogs followed by Kate (probably auditioning for her inevitable talk show) then quipping “maybe we should have used a collar for other people.”
In the “Soccer and Swimming” segment Kate complained that Jon doesn't do “projects” with the kids, followed by a shot of Maddy whining “I don't want to play with Daddy.” Kate added that “he is on the phone a lot.” Cut to a shot of one of the little girls begging Jon for a Popsicle, while he ignores her and texts on his cell phone. Kate then asserted that Jon's phone usage involves calls to “friends,” while when she is on the phone it involves work.
There was also a rather lengthy shot of Jon yakking it up with the evil paparazzi while the kids wanted to go swimming.
Moreover, to demonstrate how popular Kate is with her fans, there was a segment titled “Book Tour” that showed her speaking before a cheering throng at a Southern Women's Conference in North Carolina and later at a book signing where one couple admitted to standing in line for 12 hours to finally meet their idol!
Finally we all saw how big Kate's heart is, as she prepared dinner for the families at the Ronald McDonald House, and later announced that “dinner is served from ‘Jon and Kate Plus Eight'…minus Jon.” Of course the TLC crew laughed at all of her quips.
So now only one episode remains, and supposedly it will include both Jon and Kate together, and according to a report in the NY Post, this “sitdown” will "provide new insights on their recent life events" and forecast "what the future holds for them and their eight children.”
I hope things turn out better than Michael Corleone's “sitdown” with Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey in “The Godfather.” Watch out Jon if Kate excuses herself to go to the bathroom!
Monday, November 16, 2009
When the 'Curb' and 'Seinfeld' Worlds Collide...Magic Happens!
Now that's what I am talking about!
Sunday night's episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” titled “The Table Read,” was as brilliant a piece of television comedy that I can ever recall viewing. By blending it with a pseudo-Seinfeld reunion rehearsal, Larry David managed to capture the best of both shows.
Frankly I had thought that this season of “Curb” had not been Larry at his best, but all is forgiven after last night's hilarious show.
It wasn't just the pure comedy, but the weaving together of snippets of both shows into 45 minutes of pure genius. Perhaps one must be a fanatic follower of every episode of “Curb” and “Seinfeld” to totally appreciate the humor (as I am), but I for one could not stop laughing throughout the show.
(By the way I am also a fanatic football fan, but was so enthralled by this episode that I watched it INSTEAD of viewing the Patriots-Colts game, a decision that totally shocked my wife.)
I thought it was fascinating to see actors Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards morph into their Elaine, George, and Kramer characters. Of course Jerry always appears as just himself, whether on stage, or on his or Larry's show.
There were great pure “Curb” references such as Marty Funkhouser showing up uninvited to the table reading. And pure “Seinfeld” references, such as Jerry once again delivering the famous “Hello Newman” line and the appearance by mediocre comedian Kenny Banya complaining that the economy was killing his already moribund career. Of course as in every “Seinfeld” episode there had to be a Superman reference, which last night involved Jerry being surprised that Elaine already knew about the Fortress of Solitude crystals.
But what really made the show a classic was when the “Curb” and “Seinfeld” worlds collided, best exemplified by Kramer being diagnosed with the fictitious Groats disease (which Larry had helped raise money for in a Season two episode).
In the piece de resistance of the whole “Curb” season came the interaction between Michael Richards and Larry's “boarder” Leon (JB Smoove). The latter's attempts to portray Danny Duberstein; a white Jewish accountant who had passed away from Groats has to rank as one of the funniest scenes in any show ever!
Naturally that scene led to Richards going off on another racist tirade with bystanders all around taping the scene on their cell phones. Kudos to “Kramer” for allowing Larry to reprise that incident, which in real life practically ruined his career.
Overall the show worked on so many levels and left me totally satisfied and looking forward to next week's season finale. And if you were a more loyal Patriots fan than I and missed the show or forgot to DVR it, make sure you catch it on reruns of HBO later this week!
You won't be sorry.
Sunday night's episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” titled “The Table Read,” was as brilliant a piece of television comedy that I can ever recall viewing. By blending it with a pseudo-Seinfeld reunion rehearsal, Larry David managed to capture the best of both shows.
Frankly I had thought that this season of “Curb” had not been Larry at his best, but all is forgiven after last night's hilarious show.
It wasn't just the pure comedy, but the weaving together of snippets of both shows into 45 minutes of pure genius. Perhaps one must be a fanatic follower of every episode of “Curb” and “Seinfeld” to totally appreciate the humor (as I am), but I for one could not stop laughing throughout the show.
(By the way I am also a fanatic football fan, but was so enthralled by this episode that I watched it INSTEAD of viewing the Patriots-Colts game, a decision that totally shocked my wife.)
I thought it was fascinating to see actors Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards morph into their Elaine, George, and Kramer characters. Of course Jerry always appears as just himself, whether on stage, or on his or Larry's show.
There were great pure “Curb” references such as Marty Funkhouser showing up uninvited to the table reading. And pure “Seinfeld” references, such as Jerry once again delivering the famous “Hello Newman” line and the appearance by mediocre comedian Kenny Banya complaining that the economy was killing his already moribund career. Of course as in every “Seinfeld” episode there had to be a Superman reference, which last night involved Jerry being surprised that Elaine already knew about the Fortress of Solitude crystals.
But what really made the show a classic was when the “Curb” and “Seinfeld” worlds collided, best exemplified by Kramer being diagnosed with the fictitious Groats disease (which Larry had helped raise money for in a Season two episode).
In the piece de resistance of the whole “Curb” season came the interaction between Michael Richards and Larry's “boarder” Leon (JB Smoove). The latter's attempts to portray Danny Duberstein; a white Jewish accountant who had passed away from Groats has to rank as one of the funniest scenes in any show ever!
Naturally that scene led to Richards going off on another racist tirade with bystanders all around taping the scene on their cell phones. Kudos to “Kramer” for allowing Larry to reprise that incident, which in real life practically ruined his career.
Overall the show worked on so many levels and left me totally satisfied and looking forward to next week's season finale. And if you were a more loyal Patriots fan than I and missed the show or forgot to DVR it, make sure you catch it on reruns of HBO later this week!
You won't be sorry.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Reviewing the Viewers' Choices of Favorite ‘Jon & Kate' Moments
Against my better judgment I decided to DVR Monday night's episode of “Jon & Kate Plus 8” and watch it a day later. Yes, for those of you who are interested enough in the comings and goings of the Gosselins to be reading this article, TLC is still airing new “J & K” episodes.
BUT, stealing a strategy from “Lost,” TLC has announced an end date for this (apparently) final season of “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” A blurb on the screen the other night stated that there are only two more new episodes. Therefore, if my math is correct, the final “J & K” show will be aired on But back to Monday's show. For the third consecutive week it centered around Kate, sitting alone on a couch. Instead of answering viewers' or an interviewer's questions (like she did the last two weeks), Kate commented on a compilation of “Viewers' Top Moments” from the show's five seasons, as taken from a TLC.com poll.
Watching these moments did bring back some memories of why my family and I were drawn to the show in the first place, along with more recent memories of why so many people have turned against the show in the past year. Even Kate commented that these memories would include “the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
So, counting backwards, David Letterman-style, here is a recap of the top ten moments, divided by categories (along with some of Kate's comments):
10) “Biggest Blow-Up” – Kate's explosion at Toys “R” Us, where she screams at Jon to “stop playing with toys and come help!” Jon responded (perhaps in a foreshadowing of events to come) “you need to stop yelling.” On the couch, Kate admitted that seeing that scene when it first aired was a “wakeup call” for her, and she claimed that she never yelled at Jon in public again.
9) “Cutest Kid Moment” – Alexis in her crib saying “Hi Mommy, hi Mommy,” when Kate returned from the hospital after her tummy tuck. I must admit it was a really cute and touching scene. Kate commented it was her all time favorite moment.
8) “Top Ouchie Moment” – Alexis falling in the woods and biting through her lip while Kate was in San Diego with daughter Maddy. “It breaks my heart that I wasn't there,” was Kate's comment. At least she wasn't at a book signing.
7) “Top Family Milestone” – First visit to the dentist with all eight kids. It was cute the way that the eight kids sat in the dentist's chair, two by two, holding hands.
6) “Cutest Kid Sayings” – Leah reporting that “Hannah pooped in Hannah's underwears” while they were in the process of being potty-trained. I thought it somewhat ironic that the runner up was Joel saying that “Daddies have wieners.” Another case of foreshadowing? Enough said.
5) Top Family Portrait – The picture of the sextuplets as babies in strollers in front of their first much smaller house. The house was much smaller than their current estate, Kate looked much less attractive, BUT everyone looked so happy back then.
4) Most Heartwarming Moment – Hannah saying goodbye and kissing her brothers and sisters. Kate said it demonstrated the “love all parents hope that kids will have for each other.” Being a parent myself, I agree.
3) Most Memorable Meltdown - They showed several of Kate's meltdowns, but the winner took place on their plane ride to Utah, with all the kids crying and Jon and Kate having just heard the announcement that they were going to have to land in Boise, Idaho instead of Utah. “I just had had enough and didn't care about the cameras” was a telling comment by Kate. She then added “Although I felt like I had a lot of stress in my life then, (uh) I had seen nothing yet.”
2) Best Family Trip – Their trip to Hawaii, although on Monday's show they failed to mention this is when Jon and Kate renewed their wedding vows, and it was just over a year ago.
1) Most Shocking Moment -After all the cute and tender family moments, again it is ironic that the number one moment (as voted by viewers) was Jon and Kate announcing their separation. On Monday's show, Kate then said “You get married young, you don't know who you are…At some point you get older and people change …I am different but I still think I was me all along. For Jon, I think that he discovered he is somebody different from whom we knew him to be.”
So now we know that next week's show is called “Gymnastic and Baseball,” and the final “Jon & Kate” show, which will be aired three days before Thanksgiving, will probably be yet another recap show.
And then the show will finally end…or will it? After all, as many times as Jason has been done in, the “Friday the 13th” franchise is still alive.
BUT, stealing a strategy from “Lost,” TLC has announced an end date for this (apparently) final season of “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” A blurb on the screen the other night stated that there are only two more new episodes. Therefore, if my math is correct, the final “J & K” show will be aired on But back to Monday's show. For the third consecutive week it centered around Kate, sitting alone on a couch. Instead of answering viewers' or an interviewer's questions (like she did the last two weeks), Kate commented on a compilation of “Viewers' Top Moments” from the show's five seasons, as taken from a TLC.com poll.
Watching these moments did bring back some memories of why my family and I were drawn to the show in the first place, along with more recent memories of why so many people have turned against the show in the past year. Even Kate commented that these memories would include “the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
So, counting backwards, David Letterman-style, here is a recap of the top ten moments, divided by categories (along with some of Kate's comments):
10) “Biggest Blow-Up” – Kate's explosion at Toys “R” Us, where she screams at Jon to “stop playing with toys and come help!” Jon responded (perhaps in a foreshadowing of events to come) “you need to stop yelling.” On the couch, Kate admitted that seeing that scene when it first aired was a “wakeup call” for her, and she claimed that she never yelled at Jon in public again.
9) “Cutest Kid Moment” – Alexis in her crib saying “Hi Mommy, hi Mommy,” when Kate returned from the hospital after her tummy tuck. I must admit it was a really cute and touching scene. Kate commented it was her all time favorite moment.
8) “Top Ouchie Moment” – Alexis falling in the woods and biting through her lip while Kate was in San Diego with daughter Maddy. “It breaks my heart that I wasn't there,” was Kate's comment. At least she wasn't at a book signing.
7) “Top Family Milestone” – First visit to the dentist with all eight kids. It was cute the way that the eight kids sat in the dentist's chair, two by two, holding hands.
6) “Cutest Kid Sayings” – Leah reporting that “Hannah pooped in Hannah's underwears” while they were in the process of being potty-trained. I thought it somewhat ironic that the runner up was Joel saying that “Daddies have wieners.” Another case of foreshadowing? Enough said.
5) Top Family Portrait – The picture of the sextuplets as babies in strollers in front of their first much smaller house. The house was much smaller than their current estate, Kate looked much less attractive, BUT everyone looked so happy back then.
4) Most Heartwarming Moment – Hannah saying goodbye and kissing her brothers and sisters. Kate said it demonstrated the “love all parents hope that kids will have for each other.” Being a parent myself, I agree.
3) Most Memorable Meltdown - They showed several of Kate's meltdowns, but the winner took place on their plane ride to Utah, with all the kids crying and Jon and Kate having just heard the announcement that they were going to have to land in Boise, Idaho instead of Utah. “I just had had enough and didn't care about the cameras” was a telling comment by Kate. She then added “Although I felt like I had a lot of stress in my life then, (uh) I had seen nothing yet.”
2) Best Family Trip – Their trip to Hawaii, although on Monday's show they failed to mention this is when Jon and Kate renewed their wedding vows, and it was just over a year ago.
1) Most Shocking Moment -After all the cute and tender family moments, again it is ironic that the number one moment (as voted by viewers) was Jon and Kate announcing their separation. On Monday's show, Kate then said “You get married young, you don't know who you are…At some point you get older and people change …I am different but I still think I was me all along. For Jon, I think that he discovered he is somebody different from whom we knew him to be.”
So now we know that next week's show is called “Gymnastic and Baseball,” and the final “Jon & Kate” show, which will be aired three days before Thanksgiving, will probably be yet another recap show.
And then the show will finally end…or will it? After all, as many times as Jason has been done in, the “Friday the 13th” franchise is still alive.
Friday, November 6, 2009
'The Office': Is Pam's Mother a 'Cougar'?
Last night's episode of “The Office” was a perfect demonstration of the problem that many older women have when dating much younger men. Of course the term for such women these days is “cougar.” (See related stories for “The Truth about Dating” column.)
Helene Beesly, Pam's mother (played by Linda Purl) is a very attractive 58 year old woman who has been having a fling with Pam's boss, the infamous Michael Scott, ever since they met at Jim and Pam's wedding. Related Stories
As socially oblivious as Michael is, he is not a bad looking guy and has had no problem bedding down various “girl” friends over the course of the show's six seasons. At his core, though, Michael is very lonely and yearns to start his own family. (We learn at the end of the episode that Michael's dream family includes a wife and four kids who play with Jim and Pam's kids outside of his “hover house.”)
So without thinking of the consequences of his actions (which Michael rarely if ever does), he jumped at the chance to start a relationship with Helene. And he couldn't help but inappropriately comment many times over the past several episodes what a great sexual relationship he and Helene were having.
But last night it was Helene's birthday. Naturally Michael went overboard planning her birthday lunch at a ritzy restaurant. The table was lavishly decorated, he had already given Helene an expensive necklace, and he had spent hours putting together a scrapbook of memories from their brief relationship. The scrapbook included a poem in which Michael professed his love for Helene.
When we first met Helene at the rehearsal dinner the night before Pam's wedding, she was depressed, as her husband had left her for a much younger woman. But now, as they sat in the restaurant, Helene was full of joy, smiling at every silly comment Michael made.
But then, the “s__” hit the fan, as after Pam asked “So mom, what birthday are we celebrating, Helene kiddingly said that she was “sticking with 49.” Pam then mentioned that this was the ninth time she was celebrating that particular birthday.
Sharp as a tack, Michael immediately picked up on Pam's comment and added nine to 49 on an envelope and said with a grimace, “So you're 54?” To which Helene responded, “No, I'm 58.”
I believe in a previous episode it was determined that Michael is around 41 and that he very much wants his own children. So from that moment on, he became determined to end his relationship with Helene.
Like a ton of bricks, it hit Michael that the life he would like to live with the things he would like to do (such as participating in a triathlon as soon as he learns how to swim) would be very difficult to accomplish with a woman approaching 60.
And he commented to the ever present camera in his totally inappropriate way that by dating Helene he was “robbing the grave.”
All humor aside, unfortunately this is the eventual outcome of most relationships that cougars have with much younger men. Of course there are many, many very active 58 year old women, and I am sure that some of them have even competed in and won triathlons.
But the one obstacle they cannot overcome is the starting a family hurdle. As Michael stated in his own bumbling way, “Its Mother Nature and even mother has very strict rules about fer (pause) tility.” (I won't bother to explain the pause.)
Helene Beesly, Pam's mother (played by Linda Purl) is a very attractive 58 year old woman who has been having a fling with Pam's boss, the infamous Michael Scott, ever since they met at Jim and Pam's wedding. Related Stories
As socially oblivious as Michael is, he is not a bad looking guy and has had no problem bedding down various “girl” friends over the course of the show's six seasons. At his core, though, Michael is very lonely and yearns to start his own family. (We learn at the end of the episode that Michael's dream family includes a wife and four kids who play with Jim and Pam's kids outside of his “hover house.”)
So without thinking of the consequences of his actions (which Michael rarely if ever does), he jumped at the chance to start a relationship with Helene. And he couldn't help but inappropriately comment many times over the past several episodes what a great sexual relationship he and Helene were having.
But last night it was Helene's birthday. Naturally Michael went overboard planning her birthday lunch at a ritzy restaurant. The table was lavishly decorated, he had already given Helene an expensive necklace, and he had spent hours putting together a scrapbook of memories from their brief relationship. The scrapbook included a poem in which Michael professed his love for Helene.
When we first met Helene at the rehearsal dinner the night before Pam's wedding, she was depressed, as her husband had left her for a much younger woman. But now, as they sat in the restaurant, Helene was full of joy, smiling at every silly comment Michael made.
But then, the “s__” hit the fan, as after Pam asked “So mom, what birthday are we celebrating, Helene kiddingly said that she was “sticking with 49.” Pam then mentioned that this was the ninth time she was celebrating that particular birthday.
Sharp as a tack, Michael immediately picked up on Pam's comment and added nine to 49 on an envelope and said with a grimace, “So you're 54?” To which Helene responded, “No, I'm 58.”
I believe in a previous episode it was determined that Michael is around 41 and that he very much wants his own children. So from that moment on, he became determined to end his relationship with Helene.
Like a ton of bricks, it hit Michael that the life he would like to live with the things he would like to do (such as participating in a triathlon as soon as he learns how to swim) would be very difficult to accomplish with a woman approaching 60.
And he commented to the ever present camera in his totally inappropriate way that by dating Helene he was “robbing the grave.”
All humor aside, unfortunately this is the eventual outcome of most relationships that cougars have with much younger men. Of course there are many, many very active 58 year old women, and I am sure that some of them have even competed in and won triathlons.
But the one obstacle they cannot overcome is the starting a family hurdle. As Michael stated in his own bumbling way, “Its Mother Nature and even mother has very strict rules about fer (pause) tility.” (I won't bother to explain the pause.)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Favorite Actor 'Crossovers'
You know what’s really annoying?
How about when you are watching one of your favorite shows and you spot an actor or recognize a voice, and you just KNOW that you have seen him or her before, but you just can’t quite remember when or where?
I don’t know about you, but that type of thing just sticks in my mind and drives me nuts for hours or sometimes even days. In my case it might just be an “age thing.”
I call such cases where an actor or actress appears on different shows “crossovers,” and in the public interest, from time to time, I will list interesting (at least to me) crossovers that I have spotted.
A similar type of crossover occurs when you are watching an old “Bonanza” or “M*A*S*H” rerun and spot someone, perhaps a child actor who is still acting as an adult today, and you know he or she looks very familiar, but can’t quite place the name, face, or voice.
So here are some recent crossovers that I have uncovered:
* To me the “Queen of Crossovers” is Sonya Walger, who is currently Dr. Olivia Benford on “FlashForward,” and Penny Widmore on “Lost.” It does perturb me a bit when the same actress appears on two shows that are on air at the same time. But I also recall Sonya as Carolyn (who desperately wanted to get pregnant) on HBO’s short-lived “Tell Me You Love Me” and Special Agent Patrice Serxner on USA Cable’s “Sleeper Cell,” where she actually was beheaded! I also enjoyed her on another HBO show, “The Mind of the Married Man,” where she played the actor Michael Binder’s wife, Donna Barnes.
* Recently on “FlashForward” I recognized a certain British accent, and I just knew that I had heard that voice before, but could not place it. Eventually I realized that the actor (Jack Davenport) who plays Lloyd Simcoe, the father of the autistic boy Dylan AND the man who is involved with Sonya Walger (of course) in her flashforward, starred as Steve Taylor on my favorite British television show “Coupling.”
* In a great scene between two apparent “villains,” Davenport appeared on “FlashForward” with Dominic Monaghan who was the sweet and lovable “Chah-lie” Pace on “Lost,” but now plays the menacing Simon.
* Another popular actress who seems to be popping up everywhere these days is Embeth Davidtz, who also is recognizable by her short cropped hair and her clipped British accent. Embeth seems perfectly cast as a somewhat uptight bitchy woman on “Californication” as Felicia Koons, a sexually-frustrated college administrator, and on “Mad Men” as Rebecca Pryce, the home sick, miserable wife of Lane Pryce, the British bloke who now runs the Sterling Cooper agency. But Embeth was at her bitchiest best playing the unhappy wife Amy on the first season of HBO’s “In Treatment.”
* Speaking of “Mad Men,” when I first saw Elisabeth Moss’s Peggy Olson character, I knew that she looked very familiar, and after a great deal of anguish (yes I take these crossover hunts very seriously), I remembered that she had played the President’s kidnapped daughter, Zoey Bartlet, on the great “West Wing” series.
* Recently I was watching one of my daughter’s favorite movies from years ago, “Fly Away Home,” (crossovers can also apply to movies) about a young girl who becomes attached to a flock of geese (actually the geese become attached to her), and I immediately realized that the girl was played by none other than Anna Paquin, better know these days as Sookie Stackhouse of “True Blood.”
* Want another “True Blood” crossover? How about Michelle Forbes, who played the demon (or should I say the Maenad?) Maryann Forrester and who also appeared on both seasons of “In Treatment” as Kate, the cheating but misunderstood wife of series star, Paul Weston.
* A really good obscure crossover is the character actor, John Billingsley, who has perfected playing such nerdy misfits as Mike Spencer on “True Blood,” and whom I loved in the short-lived hostage series “The Nine,” where he played Egan Foote, the nerd turned hero.
* Of course one of the all-time classic crossovers occurred when E Street Band guitarist Little Steven Van Zandt donned a black toupee and turned up as Silvio Dante, owner of the Bada Bing strip club on “The Sopranos.”
Anyway, I would love to hear from any readers who might suggest their favorite crossovers. But remember a quality crossover (like a quality trivia question) cannot be too obvious. Don’t send me Elizabeth Mitchell who plays Juliet Burke on “Lost” and FBI agent Erica Evans on “FlashForward” or Michael C. Hall, aka Dexter Morgan and David Fisher from “Six Feet Under.”
A much better “Dexter” crossover would be James Remar, who portrays Dexter’s dead father Harry Morgan and who was multi-millionaire Richard Wright, the a-hole who cheated and broke Samantha’s heart on “Sex and the City.”
How about when you are watching one of your favorite shows and you spot an actor or recognize a voice, and you just KNOW that you have seen him or her before, but you just can’t quite remember when or where?
I don’t know about you, but that type of thing just sticks in my mind and drives me nuts for hours or sometimes even days. In my case it might just be an “age thing.”
I call such cases where an actor or actress appears on different shows “crossovers,” and in the public interest, from time to time, I will list interesting (at least to me) crossovers that I have spotted.
A similar type of crossover occurs when you are watching an old “Bonanza” or “M*A*S*H” rerun and spot someone, perhaps a child actor who is still acting as an adult today, and you know he or she looks very familiar, but can’t quite place the name, face, or voice.
So here are some recent crossovers that I have uncovered:
* To me the “Queen of Crossovers” is Sonya Walger, who is currently Dr. Olivia Benford on “FlashForward,” and Penny Widmore on “Lost.” It does perturb me a bit when the same actress appears on two shows that are on air at the same time. But I also recall Sonya as Carolyn (who desperately wanted to get pregnant) on HBO’s short-lived “Tell Me You Love Me” and Special Agent Patrice Serxner on USA Cable’s “Sleeper Cell,” where she actually was beheaded! I also enjoyed her on another HBO show, “The Mind of the Married Man,” where she played the actor Michael Binder’s wife, Donna Barnes.
* Recently on “FlashForward” I recognized a certain British accent, and I just knew that I had heard that voice before, but could not place it. Eventually I realized that the actor (Jack Davenport) who plays Lloyd Simcoe, the father of the autistic boy Dylan AND the man who is involved with Sonya Walger (of course) in her flashforward, starred as Steve Taylor on my favorite British television show “Coupling.”
* In a great scene between two apparent “villains,” Davenport appeared on “FlashForward” with Dominic Monaghan who was the sweet and lovable “Chah-lie” Pace on “Lost,” but now plays the menacing Simon.
* Another popular actress who seems to be popping up everywhere these days is Embeth Davidtz, who also is recognizable by her short cropped hair and her clipped British accent. Embeth seems perfectly cast as a somewhat uptight bitchy woman on “Californication” as Felicia Koons, a sexually-frustrated college administrator, and on “Mad Men” as Rebecca Pryce, the home sick, miserable wife of Lane Pryce, the British bloke who now runs the Sterling Cooper agency. But Embeth was at her bitchiest best playing the unhappy wife Amy on the first season of HBO’s “In Treatment.”
* Speaking of “Mad Men,” when I first saw Elisabeth Moss’s Peggy Olson character, I knew that she looked very familiar, and after a great deal of anguish (yes I take these crossover hunts very seriously), I remembered that she had played the President’s kidnapped daughter, Zoey Bartlet, on the great “West Wing” series.
* Recently I was watching one of my daughter’s favorite movies from years ago, “Fly Away Home,” (crossovers can also apply to movies) about a young girl who becomes attached to a flock of geese (actually the geese become attached to her), and I immediately realized that the girl was played by none other than Anna Paquin, better know these days as Sookie Stackhouse of “True Blood.”
* Want another “True Blood” crossover? How about Michelle Forbes, who played the demon (or should I say the Maenad?) Maryann Forrester and who also appeared on both seasons of “In Treatment” as Kate, the cheating but misunderstood wife of series star, Paul Weston.
* A really good obscure crossover is the character actor, John Billingsley, who has perfected playing such nerdy misfits as Mike Spencer on “True Blood,” and whom I loved in the short-lived hostage series “The Nine,” where he played Egan Foote, the nerd turned hero.
* Of course one of the all-time classic crossovers occurred when E Street Band guitarist Little Steven Van Zandt donned a black toupee and turned up as Silvio Dante, owner of the Bada Bing strip club on “The Sopranos.”
Anyway, I would love to hear from any readers who might suggest their favorite crossovers. But remember a quality crossover (like a quality trivia question) cannot be too obvious. Don’t send me Elizabeth Mitchell who plays Juliet Burke on “Lost” and FBI agent Erica Evans on “FlashForward” or Michael C. Hall, aka Dexter Morgan and David Fisher from “Six Feet Under.”
A much better “Dexter” crossover would be James Remar, who portrays Dexter’s dead father Harry Morgan and who was multi-millionaire Richard Wright, the a-hole who cheated and broke Samantha’s heart on “Sex and the City.”
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
'V' Is for Very 'Nice'
If you love the ABC show “Lost,” and you have become quickly addicted to the ABC show “FlashForward,” then you probably will be somewhat bored as I was by the new ABC show “V,” which premiered last night.
On the other hand, if you find both "Lost” and “FlashForward” too complicated, too complex, and too difficult to follow, then “V” might be just the right sci-fi show for you.
“V” is a remake of the 1980s series about visitors from another planet who come to Earth and promise to exchange their technology for our water and our friendship. The show reminds me why I was not too enthralled with television back then.
Right off the top you realize that there are good guys and bad guys, and that some of the good guys will be initially seduced by the bad guys. But of course at the end, somehow, the good guys will prevail. I am sure that George Bush and his cohorts will probably love the show.
That was the way television rolled back then. This new version of “V” is for people who like to sit back on their sofas and go along for a nice, safe comfortable ride. It is not for people (like myself) who prefer analyzing every scene and trying to figure out the meaning of “Lost's” numbers or the names pinned on Agent Benford's bulletin board. (And who still isn't sure if Ben or Locke are ultimately good guys or bad guys.)
I am not saying that “V” is not an entertaining show. I am sure that it will capture decent ratings. Furthermore, with the special effects that are available today, it will also be visually dramatic. Giant spaceships hovering over the world's capitals are tailor-made images for a 50-inch HDTV.
The original series was supposedly an allegory of how the Nazi's took advantage of people's economic angst to take control of Germany back in the 1920s, and this version of “V” makes considerable mention of the recent world-wide economic recession.
Moreover, it was updated in other ways, with references to terrorist sleeper cells, far away wars, a hubris-filled cable news anchor, and of course cell phones and the Internet. And most of all, every person under the age of 30 calls each other “dude.” (100 years from now when people look back at movies and television shows from today, the overuse of the term “dude” will definitely be labeled as the benchmark catchword of the day.)
Since Disney owns ABC, I'll finish up with an analogy using roller coasters from Disney World. “V” is like Thunder Mountain, exciting but relatively gentle for a roller coaster, with the highlights being the animatronic figures you see as you whiz by. “Lost” and “Flash Forward” are akin to Space Mountain, which, while not being the fastest roller coaster in the world, blasts you off on a hair-raising, intense ride through the dark with surprising twists and turns that make it far more exciting.
On the other hand, if you find both "Lost” and “FlashForward” too complicated, too complex, and too difficult to follow, then “V” might be just the right sci-fi show for you.
“V” is a remake of the 1980s series about visitors from another planet who come to Earth and promise to exchange their technology for our water and our friendship. The show reminds me why I was not too enthralled with television back then.
Right off the top you realize that there are good guys and bad guys, and that some of the good guys will be initially seduced by the bad guys. But of course at the end, somehow, the good guys will prevail. I am sure that George Bush and his cohorts will probably love the show.
That was the way television rolled back then. This new version of “V” is for people who like to sit back on their sofas and go along for a nice, safe comfortable ride. It is not for people (like myself) who prefer analyzing every scene and trying to figure out the meaning of “Lost's” numbers or the names pinned on Agent Benford's bulletin board. (And who still isn't sure if Ben or Locke are ultimately good guys or bad guys.)
I am not saying that “V” is not an entertaining show. I am sure that it will capture decent ratings. Furthermore, with the special effects that are available today, it will also be visually dramatic. Giant spaceships hovering over the world's capitals are tailor-made images for a 50-inch HDTV.
The original series was supposedly an allegory of how the Nazi's took advantage of people's economic angst to take control of Germany back in the 1920s, and this version of “V” makes considerable mention of the recent world-wide economic recession.
Moreover, it was updated in other ways, with references to terrorist sleeper cells, far away wars, a hubris-filled cable news anchor, and of course cell phones and the Internet. And most of all, every person under the age of 30 calls each other “dude.” (100 years from now when people look back at movies and television shows from today, the overuse of the term “dude” will definitely be labeled as the benchmark catchword of the day.)
Since Disney owns ABC, I'll finish up with an analogy using roller coasters from Disney World. “V” is like Thunder Mountain, exciting but relatively gentle for a roller coaster, with the highlights being the animatronic figures you see as you whiz by. “Lost” and “Flash Forward” are akin to Space Mountain, which, while not being the fastest roller coaster in the world, blasts you off on a hair-raising, intense ride through the dark with surprising twists and turns that make it far more exciting.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
'Jon & Kate': The Show that Won't Die!
Last week I speculated that the one hour “Viewers Ask Questions” interview with Kate Gosselin would be the final show of the “Jon & Kate Plus 8” saga.
Boy was I wrong. Unlike even some vampires (i.e. Godric on “True Blood”), this is a show that won't die. Desperate for ratings, I guess that TLC plans on squeezing every little drop of blood out of the Gosselin family. (And how ironic is it that “TLC” actually stands for “The Learning Channel?”)
So last night we were treated to another one hour interview with Kate; this time the interview was conducted by Natalie Morales of NBC News, supposedly to give the interview more credibility. Of course we all know that the “news” today is more fluff than substance. And full of fluff is the best way to describe the softball questions (with no follow-ups) that Ms. Morales tossed Kate's way.
Somehow I just can't picture Edward R. Murrow or Mike Wallace conducting the same interview.
So once again we got to hear how Kate loves her children, would do nothing that would ever harm them, and that she originally signed up to do a reality show, not to be a “tabloid staple.” Oh, and that her and the paparazzi have a “hate-hate” relationship.
While tears welled up in Kate's eyes as she paused to answer questions about Jon's infidelities, her middle of the night meltdowns, and the positive and negative lessons she has learned (I guess it is “The Learning Channel” after all), there were moments I had difficulty hearing what she was saying, because of the jangling of her jewelry while she wiped her eyes.
I also became distracted by her contrived speech patterns that I first noticed weeks ago during an interview with Larry King.
So do I believe that Kate only cares about her children's welfare? No I don't.
Do I watch too many Jon and Kate interviews? Absolutely.
Do I regret watching all of these interviews? Absolutely.
(Excuse me while I try and contain myself for a moment.)
Okay, here's what I thought was the most interesting aspect of last night's interview, and that involves the questions that Ms. Morales asked dealing with Kate's relationship with her parents and siblings.
First Kate mentioned that she was the middle of five children, and that she was “the forgotten child.” (Hmm, could this have anything to do with her decision to get on a reality show?)
When asked about her current relationship with her parents, Kate said that it was basically an email one, and that they do not talk. But what I found most telling is the fact that this split between Kate and her family (apparently only one sister now supports her) happened NOT in the past year, but long ago.
In fact Kate admitted that her falling out with her parents occurred after the sextuplets were born, but BEFORE the television series! Kate's explanation of the problems with her parents was “that was the beginning of me realizing everyone has an opinion and sometimes those opinions aren't my opinions….and at that time I felt like it was best just to step back and take a break.”
Wow! So she basically decided to confine her relationship with her parents (and the children's grandparents) to emails because of a difference of opinion! Can you imagine if all of us did that with parents and siblings?
Back to the most important subject: Kate's future in television. First I must mention that I thought Kate looked just “mahvelous” during this interview. Obviously it's just a matter of time until her talk show premiers.
Anyway, checking my channel guide, it appears that TLC will continue to come up with new shows from already filmed footage.
Next Monday we will be treated to an hour-long episode titled “Viewers' Top Moments,” and the following Monday there will be two half hour episodes, “Gymnastics & Basketball” and “Never Before Seen.”
So it appears that this “Jon & Kate” saga may truly be a “Never Ending Story,” at least as long as the ratings hold up.
Boy was I wrong. Unlike even some vampires (i.e. Godric on “True Blood”), this is a show that won't die. Desperate for ratings, I guess that TLC plans on squeezing every little drop of blood out of the Gosselin family. (And how ironic is it that “TLC” actually stands for “The Learning Channel?”)
So last night we were treated to another one hour interview with Kate; this time the interview was conducted by Natalie Morales of NBC News, supposedly to give the interview more credibility. Of course we all know that the “news” today is more fluff than substance. And full of fluff is the best way to describe the softball questions (with no follow-ups) that Ms. Morales tossed Kate's way.
Somehow I just can't picture Edward R. Murrow or Mike Wallace conducting the same interview.
So once again we got to hear how Kate loves her children, would do nothing that would ever harm them, and that she originally signed up to do a reality show, not to be a “tabloid staple.” Oh, and that her and the paparazzi have a “hate-hate” relationship.
While tears welled up in Kate's eyes as she paused to answer questions about Jon's infidelities, her middle of the night meltdowns, and the positive and negative lessons she has learned (I guess it is “The Learning Channel” after all), there were moments I had difficulty hearing what she was saying, because of the jangling of her jewelry while she wiped her eyes.
I also became distracted by her contrived speech patterns that I first noticed weeks ago during an interview with Larry King.
So do I believe that Kate only cares about her children's welfare? No I don't.
Do I watch too many Jon and Kate interviews? Absolutely.
Do I regret watching all of these interviews? Absolutely.
(Excuse me while I try and contain myself for a moment.)
Okay, here's what I thought was the most interesting aspect of last night's interview, and that involves the questions that Ms. Morales asked dealing with Kate's relationship with her parents and siblings.
First Kate mentioned that she was the middle of five children, and that she was “the forgotten child.” (Hmm, could this have anything to do with her decision to get on a reality show?)
When asked about her current relationship with her parents, Kate said that it was basically an email one, and that they do not talk. But what I found most telling is the fact that this split between Kate and her family (apparently only one sister now supports her) happened NOT in the past year, but long ago.
In fact Kate admitted that her falling out with her parents occurred after the sextuplets were born, but BEFORE the television series! Kate's explanation of the problems with her parents was “that was the beginning of me realizing everyone has an opinion and sometimes those opinions aren't my opinions….and at that time I felt like it was best just to step back and take a break.”
Wow! So she basically decided to confine her relationship with her parents (and the children's grandparents) to emails because of a difference of opinion! Can you imagine if all of us did that with parents and siblings?
Back to the most important subject: Kate's future in television. First I must mention that I thought Kate looked just “mahvelous” during this interview. Obviously it's just a matter of time until her talk show premiers.
Anyway, checking my channel guide, it appears that TLC will continue to come up with new shows from already filmed footage.
Next Monday we will be treated to an hour-long episode titled “Viewers' Top Moments,” and the following Monday there will be two half hour episodes, “Gymnastics & Basketball” and “Never Before Seen.”
So it appears that this “Jon & Kate” saga may truly be a “Never Ending Story,” at least as long as the ratings hold up.
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