Archive for June, 2009

TV Times Three Podcast roundup!

June 26, 2009 · Filed under TV Times Three

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I haven’t posted about the podcast in a few weeks, so I wanted to get the links for the past three episodes into a post for y’all!

Episode 032 – We programmed our perfect week of TV.  That’s 22 hours to fill with any TV show, past or present. We started with a four-hour block on Sundays and moved through the rest of the week with a three-hour block for each night. Even after thinking about it for a week, we all still heard one of the others mention a show we’d forgotten to include.  Before we dove into the topic, we briefly mentioned some recent TV related news about The Beast, Burn Notice, and Royal Pains.  After covering our perfect primetimes, we covered Primeval, Greek, So You Think You Can Dance, Burn Notice season three premiere, Royal Pains series premiere, tosh.0 series premiere, The Listnener series premiere, and Conan’s first week taking over The Tonight Show.

Episode 033 - We decied to talk about our favorite imported series from around “the places”!  So, we did a little thinking, or a lot in Rae’s case, about what foreign TV shows we have watched and enjoyed. We didn’t limit ourselves to just British shows either, as some Australian and Canadian TV shows figured into our lists.  But, first we batted around the idea of why we don’t see many hit shows from other countries play here in the United States and why we tend to see remakes of these shows.  After covering our double dose of topics, we talked a bit about Pushing Daisies, Greek, The Closer, Weeds, So You Think You Can Dance, and Burn Notice.  I also talk about Huggabunch at length!

Episode 034 - Just went live this morning!  Ever wondered how we got into TV blogging? We decided to answer it on the podcast and we each briefly talked about how we got into TV blogging. Well, briefly may be understating it, but what else is new?  But, first we chatted about a few news items about T.R. Knight, Katherine Heigl, Brian Austin Green, and the swapping of The Wretched Beast and Gossip Girl on The CW Mondays this fall.  After covering our news and the topic, we talked a bit about Pushing Daisies, Primeval, Greek, The Closer, So You Think You Can Dance, Burn Notice, and Royal Pains.  Lastly, we talks briefly (there it is again) about some upcoming shows like ABC Family’s Make It or Break It and 10 Things I Hate About You and the ABC miniseries Impact.  And I sing.  A lot.

Check us out on the links above, or go subscribe to us on iTunes! itunessub

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Interview: I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAMESHOW’s host Rome Kanda

June 24, 2009 · Filed under ABC, Exclusive Interviews

Rome KandaABC had a surprise hit last year with the game show I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW and it premiered again this summer to great ratings.  I had the chance to speak with the host of the show, Rome Kanda, in one of the funniest and most sarcastic interviews to date, and he told me exactly why he thinks you should be watching! 

Oi, Hajimimashte! [Nice to meet you]
Hajimimashte!

That is the extent of my Japanese but I wanted to make sure I said that!  How are you?
[laughs]  I’m fine, how are you?  Your Japanese sounds perfect to me!

Oh great!  So we want to talk about the show, and I’m very interested in how you got involved and why you wanted to be involved in this show?
I hope people will see that I can entertain in both English and Japanese, and this part was very perfect for me.  I thought the money was good, but I was wrong!

What are some fun things that we have to look forward to this season?
Rome Kanda.  Me!   Unless they cut out all my scenes!  Also, we did a lot of different things.  I just think it’ll be fun to watch!  And also, the games are more funny this time!

What games do we have to look forward to?
Oh I can’t give that away right now [laughs], you have to watch!

Why do you think people should tune in?
I think that they can see Japanese culture, and also can be entertained and learn something at the same time.  Not a lot of shows can entertain and teach you at the same time.  Mostly, they should tune in to watch Rome Kanda.  Also, to help us get high ratings, so we can go to season three!

When did you realize that you wanted to be an entertainer?
Oh, am I an entertainer?  I didn’t know that?  I think it was just natural.  I think it was determined before I was born.  To be an entertainer, or naturally funny!

I read on your website that you’re teaching the Samurai style sword fighting in Los Angeles on Saturday nights.  Do you still do that?  And how did you decide to be a teacher of the art?
I just wanted to change all Americans into Samurai!  I am still teaching in Los Angeles.

What else do you have going on these days besides the show?
I am in the middle of making a book.  The biography about Rome Kanda, how I traveled to America, how I get the jobs that I get.

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BETTER OFF TED Returns tonight…

June 23, 2009 · Filed under ABC, Better Off Ted, What's On?

…and if you know what’s best for you, you’ll tune in!  Because it’s the best show you missed this season, and you’ll be doing a disservice to yourself if you miss it! 

In tonight’s all new episode, called “You Are the Boss of Me,” the lines between boss and employee are blurred when Veronica and Linda end up spending some time together, and Ted forces his friendship on Phil and Lem.  Here are two promo shots from tonight’s episode – it already makes you want to laugh, doesn’t it?

Phil

Ted

If that doesn’t make you want to watch, then it’s time to head on over to iTunes and check out the Season 1 episodes – my favorite of which, “Racial Insensitivity” is available for free download! Check it out here!

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Ali Landry is a SUPERSTAR

June 23, 2009 · Filed under ABC, Exclusive Interviews

Ali LandryYou all know the next person I had a chance to speak with.  Ali Landry was once the Doritos Girl, and she’s come a long way since.  She’s a celebrated TV host, and she has one of the most recognizable names and faces in the biz.  This summer, she’s competing in a serious competition for athletes and personalities on ABC, THE SUPERSTARS, starting Tuesday.

THE SUPERSTARS is based on ABC’s classic “Wide World of Sports” series of the same name, which pitted athletes from all different sports against each other to determine the best athlete in the world. THE SUPERSTARS pairs the celebrities with the athletes to compete in varying sporting events.  Dan Cortese, Estella Warren, Terrell Owens, and Lisa Leslie are all taking part.  I spoke with Ali to talk about what to expect from the series.

We’re here today to talk about THE SUPERSTARS.  Tell me how you got involved in this, why you wanted to be a part of it?
Well, first, ABC was kind enough to give me the opportunity, number one. My background, I was the kind of kid, teen, adult, I was involved in absolutely every possible thing that I could be involved in at school.  I tried everything.  I was on swim team, I played softball, I played volleyball, I was a cheerleader, I did gymnastics, but it was not like I was really great at any one sport.  I could definitely hold my own, but I wasn’t an amazing athlete.  I was good.  I could pick up anything pretty quickly.  For me, since having a baby, I had not worked out in 2, she’s almost 2, I had not worked out in 2 years.  There was a part of me that was really missing that athletic side of myself.  The spirit of competition and pushing yourself.  That adrenaline high you get when you compete.

So when this opportunity came up, even though it scared me to death, I thought, I absolutely have to do it.  But I had no idea what I was getting myself into, let me just say that! Read the rest of this entry »

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SECRET LIFE’s Ricky and Grace tease the new season!

June 22, 2009 · Filed under ABC Family, Exclusive Interviews, The Secret Life...

Megan and DarenLast summer, no one knew what we were in for when ABC Family premiered a little show about a pregnant teenager, called THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER.  Equal parts JUNO and 7TH HEAVEN (from the latter’s creator), this show came out of nowhere, and easily became a hit.  Now about to start a third chapter/season, I had the chance to speak with Daren Kagasoff (Ricky) and Megan Park (Grace) about what’s coming up this year, and what their craziest fan reactions have been, after going from little known to super stars overnight!

Quite a whirlwind you guys have had for this show in the past year!
Megan: Yeah, it’s been crazy!

So let’s jump in – where did your characters end at the end of last season, and what can we expect coming into season 3?
Megan:  Well, my character last season was really struggling with doing the right thing as a person in her relationship. She has this boyfriend who pressures her to have sex, and she really doesn’t want to, so the first couple of episodes really deal with that, and whether to take her relationship to the next level.  And also, there’s a very tragic death of a main character in the first episode, that you see everybody deal with throughout the season because it’s very life changing.

Daren: Well, in the first season, you kind of got to see my character, he’s the player, he got Amy pregnant.  He didn’t take responsibility for his actions, and now with this season, with the baby out, he has a lot of responsibility, so he’s definitely stepping up to the plate now and trying to be the best dad that he can. I’m excited for the fans to see that side of Ricky.

Why do you think that a show like this is so important, to have on the air right now?
Megan:  I think it’s important to have a show on TV like this that doesn’t sugar coat anything, that’s really honest, and shows real teens, all different types of families.  There’s single parent families, there’s adoptive families, that’s real life America now, and kids can see that families are all different varities.  There are all different kind of characters on the show that people can relate to.  I think it’s important to have something like that on TV.

How has fan reaction been?  Are you guys getting attacked everywhere you go?
Megan:  Kind of yeah!

Daren:  Yeah, we’re getting there.  The mall is not a good place.

Megan: Movie theaters and malls are not a good place!

Daren: [laughs] Anywhere where there are young kids!

What’s the craziest reaction that you’ve had so far?
Daren:  Well, this one time, I was walking and this girl almost got hit by a car.  She fell in the street, and she almost got ran over, so that was pretty intense. [laughs].

Megan: The fans are hardcore.  But it’s cool though.  I mean, they always just want to tell us that they love the show, and they love the characters, so they’re always really positive, which is cool.

Is there anybody that you get to work with this season that you haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time with previously?
Daren:  Yeah, I mean, last year, I wasn’t able to work with Molly [Ringwald, Amy's mom], because her character, I guess really didn’t like Ricky, too much.  Now that the baby’s out, you kind of get to see their relationship develop.

Megan:  I think for my character, last season, she was close with her mom, but this season, it’s a whole different relationship, kind of.  She has a lot of bonding experiences with her mom (played by Josie Bissett), and they go through some ups and downs, so that was really interesting for me to play.

And one last thing – why should people tune in?
Daren: Because this season, from the first episode, just starts out with a bang.  It seems like the writers, each season, they’re stepping it up, it gets better and better.  This season is just intense, and I know that the fans are going to like it.  They’re going to like where the storylines are going.  I’m excited for it to come out again!

Megan: Definitely the best season so far!

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MAKE IT OR BREAK IT interview – Peri Gilpin and Candace Cameron Bure

June 22, 2009 · Filed under ABC, Exclusive Interviews, Make It Or Break It

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The other day, I didn’t know which way to turn, which was up, and which was down, because for a few minutes, I got to talk to two of my favorite people from TV, of all times, all at once, on a call for ABC Family’s charming new show MAKE IT OR BREAK IT.  Peri Gilpin (Roz from FRASIER!) and Candace Cameron Bure (DJ from FULL HOUSE) are starring together as the mother and future (possibly) stepmother (respectively) of competitive gymnasts.  The show was really charming, has great potential, and I think I can see it being a great companion piece to GREEK in the future.

Candace and Peri sat down to chat with me about why they signed on and why they think this could be the show for you!

I have to say, I watched the pilot of the show, and seriously, what a charming show this is!
Candace and Peri: Yay!

ABC Family has really been turning out some great stuff.  I think that this is definitely one of those shows that could be a great series!
Candace: We hope so!

Tell me a little bit about why you wanted to play these roles?
Candace:  I signed on, ABC Family came to me, and presented this show to me, I felt this instant connection to it, because it’s based on competitive gymnastics, and living in the competitive sports world for 13 years, with my husband being a professional hockey player, and I’ve moved to so many different cities, for him to play on the teams that he’s played on.  I know the sacrifices that it takes to be a professional athlete and the commitment level. And I love gymnastics.  Who doesn’t love gymnastics and watching it at the Olympics?  Just that instant connection.  This hasn’t been done on TV, a show based on gymnastics.  I loved the character, Summer, that they presented, and it just felt like a great fit for me.

Peri:  The whole premise is such a no-brainer, you can’t believe that it hasn’t been on TV before.  And also, the way that they’re writing it, is so exciting.  I got offered the part of the mom, and I thought, oh god, the mom, Charlie Brown “wah wah wah” and no one will pay attention to me, and I was so impressed with how authentic the kids’ dialogue sounded, and their conversations among each other.  And then when they would talk to their parents, I was very impressed with the authenticity of that, too, and also the level of sophistication.  These kids are so aware that they’re giving up part of their childhood to pursue this dream. As a parent of little 5 year old girls at home, the idea is so intriguing to me, because how do you say no, and at the same time, say yes, it’s a minefield.  These kids are phenoms.  This is not a normal situation.  These kids are also going through all the same questions that you go through in your teens about your body, and your self image.  It’s just on a world stage, with these giant goals, and I think it’s the greatest premise in the world for the show.

What can you tease for us about what to expect in the show this season?
Candace and Peri: EVERYTHING!

Candace:  We’re so excited with getting the script each week, and wondering what’s going to happen next.  Every episode, they kind of leave you hanging.  At some point, you wanna know what’s going to happen.  If someone’s going to get hurt, if someone’s going to take drugs to help them compete.  Whether one of the characters, Lauren, is going to have a catfight with one of the other gymnasts [laughs].

Peri: Lauren is Candace’s character’s Summer’s potential step daughter, and their relationship is unbelievable!

Candace: The stuff that comes out of this girl’s mouth!

Peri: You almost can’t believe it, but it’s very real.  There’s something very real.  There is a real reality base to it.  And then they take off to there.  I think there’s a great hopeful feeling about it.  You gotta have hope to do this, and the optimism.  And then my character dealing with some economic issues that are very prevalent in our society today.  There’s a real truth to it, and there’s also a great fantasy to it, and also, a lot of humor!

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Talking IMPACT with star Natasha Henstridge

June 21, 2009 · Filed under ABC, Eli Stone, Exclusive Interviews

Natasha - ImpactTonight on ABC, the two week Sunday movie event IMPACT premieres and I had the chance to talk to the star of the film (and ELI STONE favorite) Natasha Henstridge about the movie.  In the movie, an asteroid hits the Earth’s moon, and suddenly, the moon is moving all over the place, hurting people, putting others in danger, and causing viewers to think “Could this really happen?”  Natasha was great, and answered all my questions, including that very thing.

I just got finished watching IMPACT, and it’s absolutely an event that gets you seriously thinking about what could possibly happen out there in the skies!
Doesn’t it?  I know! Yeah, I know, it is scary, I know.  Somewhat possible which makes it even more frightening!

That was actually one of the questions that I had coming into the call – you know there are a couple of things in there that you think could that actually really happen?  And it’s like, yeah, it really could.
Yeah, that’s the truth of the matter.  We spent some time up in Canada with an astrophysicist, going over some of the ideas in the film.  They’re not as farfetched as we would like to believe they are.  That’s the truth of the matter.  I can’t remember all of the details about how we sort of solve the problem at the end.  I can’t remember how much of that is possible at this point, but certainly, the idea, of getting hit by the brown dwarf, and changing the gravitational pull.  Things like that are very based in science.  Frightening! Read the rest of this entry »

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Sunday must watch: LMN’s KILLER HAIR

June 21, 2009 · Filed under Lifetime, Sunday, What's On?

killer hair 2Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network are always so great at bringing book adaptation to TV in movie form, and tonight’s premiere is no different.  KILLER HAIR, starring Maggie Lawson (PSYCH), is adapted from Ellen Byerrum’s popular Crime of Fashion mystery series (also on the horizon, HOSTILE MAKEOVER).  I’m glad they decided to tackle the series, because the first one of the bunch is 100% fun, with all kinds of over the top absurdity thrown in!

KILLER HAIR tells the story of Lacey Smithsonian (if that’s not a book character’s name, I don’t know what is), a former crime reporter, forced to be a fashion reporter (fashion crime) at a less-than-stellar newspaper.  When one of her friends, Angela, dies in an apparent suicide, the terrible haircut she’s laid to rest in makes Lacey and her best friend Stella believe that Angela was murdered.

The story immediately delves into adorable Lacey (Maggie Lawson is fantastic – she has “star” written all over her) getting herself way in over her head as she works to solve the case.  Conveniently along for the ride is her ex from Colorado, new in DC, and helping her, reluctantly, to solve the murders that keep popping up.

The rest of the cast is really good, too, with Finola Hughs and Mary McDonnell showing up to give solid acting cred.  This is the kind of movie that helps you escape from what’s happening in the world around you, and is enjoyable through and through. Do yourself a favor and tune in!

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MERLIN starts tonight!

June 21, 2009 · Filed under Merlin, NBC

I don’t know about you, but in general, I’m a  big fan of Arthurian legend.  The Knights of the Round Table, Lancelot and Guinevere, Merlin and the Sword in the Stone, etc.  So when I heard that NBC was going to air the BBC series called MERLIN, the teenage story of Arthur’s manservant, the warlock with destiny, I was really excited!  An idea taken from the SMALLVILLE creators that tells the backstory of these famous folks (King Uther, played by Anthony Stewart Head from BUFFY; Morgana, Guinevere, Merlin, Arthur, Lancelot), the show does a good job to set up the ultimate summer guilty pleasure.

For one hour each week, you can find yourself drawn into this world where dragon’s talk, serpents within swords are alive, and magic is as forbidden as it can be.  The first “series” ran for 13 episodes, the first of which airs tonight on NBC, and gives you insight into just how Merlin came to Camelot.  Next week’s episode is about the Knight Valiant and his sword from above.

Future episodes deal with a multitude of “demons of the week” type of stories, all culminating in an exciting season finale.  Is it the greatest thing I’ve seen related to Arthur?  No, that’s probably FIRST KNIGHT starring Richard Gere.  Bawled my eyes out…but it’s definitely worth at least a look-see!  In a completely made up rating system, it gets an A for effort, and a C+ for execution, with room to grow!

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Spend some time with ROYAL PAINS’ Jill Flint

June 18, 2009 · Filed under Exclusive Content, Royal Pains, Set Visit, USA Network

Jill FlintJill Flint plays Jill Casey, the hospital administrator for Hamptons Heritage Hospital on USA’s newest hit show ROYAL PAINS.  On my set visit a few weeks back we had the chance to chat with Jill about the show and everything that’s going on with it.

Us:  Do you want to just start off telling us about your character?
Jill:  Sure, sure.  Jill Casey. Jill Casey is—she’s a local, she grew up in the Hamptons.  She’s a hospital administrator for Hamptons Heritage Hospital and as a person, she’s a very driven woman.  She’s not impressed with the whole hullabaloo of the rich and the famous that live up there, with their big houses and their fancy cars and their attitudes.  She’s not impressed by any of that.

She’s more interested in taking care of the people that she grew up with, people that she had been surrounded with her entire life. The locals, the people that, you know, do work in the restaurants or, you know, the local electrician.  Just the average blue collar folk.  They sort of get pushed aside by these jerks who drive in there, you know, thinking they’re all that.

Her passion, her dream, what she wants to do is open a free clinic and that attracted me to the script, because it’s—I think it’s very relevant to what’s going on in this day and age.  I mean, how many Americans can really afford to, you know, go to the doctor, have healthcare and have it be decent?  And, you know, if you’ve ever been to any sort of free clinic or sliding scale clinic here in New York, they’re kind of scary. [laughs]

So, yeah, that’s, that’s where she’s pushing towards and that’s who she is.  I’m—I was blown away by her when I met her, so to speak, and I’m happy that I get to play her, it’s good. Read the rest of this entry »

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