The new year is upon us and that means we will get a batch of new and old TV shows popping up in the coming weeks, so here is a list of what is apparently the top shows that you and I should be tuning into.
“Human Target” Premieres January 17 on Fox
An action show based on a DC Comics graphic novel – yeah, boys are gonna love it. Ex-”Fringe”-r Mark Valley stars as Christopher Chance, a private security guard who integrates himself into his clients’ lives and then makes himself a human target in order to draw the threat out. But what drives him? Hmmm, cue fingers drumming on table. The preternaturally chiseled Valley is assisted by “Pushing Daisies” vet Chi McBride and “Watchmen” weirdo Jackie Earle Haley. No love interest has been announced. So yeah, girls are gonna need that.
“Lost” Final season premieres February 2 on ABC
It’s not a new series, but it deserves to be on this list because a lot of newbies (and oldies who’d given up) are going to want to tune in to catch what’s sure to be a crackerjack last season of “Lost.” Most shows keep going until they run out of gas and get cancelled, leaving the creators with little time to wrap up loose ends. But the makers of “Lost” knew they’d need to plot the finale to their twisty show long in advance, so back in 2007 they got ABC to agree to an end date of May, 2010 – even though the show was and is a ratings powerhouse – so they could start working backwards and make sure everything hung together. Mysteries like the smoke monster will finally have to be solved (or I’m starting a riot, dammit!), so apparently the sixth season will no longer devote precious minutes to flash forwards and other time travel business. But surely it’ll find time to show Jack and Sawyer with their shirts off again, no? Or else, you know – riot!
“Past Life” Premieres February 11 on Fox
You must watch at least one episode of this show just to enjoy how incredibly bad it is. And perhaps you’ll only have a chance to watch one episode of this show – that’s just how bad it is. Though it’s reportedly inspired by the novel “The Reincarnationist,” about a guy who goes to an institute specializing in the past-life memories of children to help him figure out why he’s remembering being a pagan priest in ancient Rome, it’s more plausibly inspired by the sound of TV executives scraping the bottom of the crime show barrel. In lieu of the novel’s “Da Vinci Code” intrigue, the show is a straightforward procedural, pitting a female believer (Kelli Giddish of “All My Children”) opposite a macho skeptic (Nicholas Bishop, “Home and Away”) as they investigate unsolved crimes by talking to people who are going through some sort of past life regression. The pilot episode has a teenage boy remember being a little girl who was drowned a couple months before he was born. Oh, the angsty faces! Oh, the silliness! You’ll die laughing, but don’t worry – you’ll be reincarnated so you can laugh at this show again.
“Parenthood” Premieres March 1 on NBC
Ron Howard had a family comedy hit on his hands with “Parenthood” in 1989, starring Steve Martin as the eldest brother in a loopily loveable clan. Two decades, a couple of Oscars and another family comedy (”Arrested Development”) later, Howard’s finally getting around to milking that cash cow on the boob tube. The TV version of “Parenthood” doesn’t seem to have been updated much. There’s still a single mom (Lauren Graham of “Gilmore Girls”), a ne’er-do-well brother (Dax Shepard) and an earnest dad (Peter Krause from “Six Feet Under”). But now the controlling parent played by Rick Moranis in the movie has gender-bended into Erika Christensen in the series. Judging from the trailer, the pieces don’t seem to fit together as well this time. (Do you really buy Krause as a dedicated family man?) But if anyone can spin a laugh out of sweetly dysfunctional family dynamics, Howard can.
“The Marriage Ref” Premieres March 14 on NBC
Jerry Seinfeld is producing this reality show about ordinary married folks and the celebrities who judge them. Turnabout is fair play, tabloid readers! For our alleged viewing pleasure, an assortment of actors, comedians and sports stars will crack wise and decide who’s right and who’s wrong in disputes between real-life spouses. We’re not sure if anyone gets voted off or if winners get to trade in their frumpy spouses for a celebrity. But we’re pretty sure that Seinfeld, who met his wife when she was newly married to someone else, isn’t qualified judge anyone’s union, ever. Ditto for sports stars, for pity’s sake. We’re also sure that Seinfeld’s wife has him over a barrel while this show is on the air. And that’s why we can’t wait to watch!
“Sons of Tucson” Premieres March 14 on Fox
This sitcom sounded like it could be a lazy cross between “Malcolm in the Middle” and “My Name is Earl” (please let hick worship die soon), but it’s actually a pretty shrewd one. Three brothers are about to be sent to a foster home when their father goes to prison, so they hire a loser to pose as their dad. The loser? Tyler Labine from “Reaper,” who’s just young, burly and caustic enough to keep the show sizzling. The kids are too caustic for their own good – they sounds like irony-lovin’ screenwriters, not kids in a fairly horrible predicament. But with writers from “Wonderfalls,” “Samantha Who?” and naturally “Malcolm in the Middle” plugging away at this show, they’re sure to grow on us.
“Treme” Premieres in April on HBO
From David Simon, creator of “The Wire.” That’s all discerning TV viewers need to know, really. “The Wire” was the best series of the last decade and Simon has the kind of talent that can only get sharper (and maybe angrier) with age. But if you need to know more: “Treme” is set in New Orleans three months after Hurricane Katrina, when people are just starting to come back. The title refers to one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, which is where much of its music and dance originated. Several of the main characters seem to be jazz musicians. The cast includes Wendell Pierce (Bunk on “The Wire”), Steve Zhan, Khandi Alexander and Melissa Leo (”Frozen River”). But as in “The Wire,” the real stars will be the social issues Simon tackles. Expect a lot of singing, dancing and outrage.
“Boardwalk Empire” Premieres in the fall on HBO
It’s like “Mad Men” but set in the 1920s with gangsters and gun molls! Martin Scorsese lent his name to this drama by directing the pilot, which is the brainchild of “The Sopranos” scribe Terence Winter. (If you’ll recall, “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner also came out of David Chase’s talent lab.) Steve Buscemi stars as Nucky Thompson, the “undisputed” ruler of Atlantic City (wanna lay bets on his rule getting disputed?) just as Prohibition takes hold. Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon and Michael K. Williams (Omar on “The Wire”) round out an excellent cast. Lots of attention to period detail should make this show the most stylish of the New Year. Or perhaps the most glamorous show on TV? The 1920s were an even better-looking decade than the 1960s, don’t you think?
“A Game of Thrones”
There are already two blogs devoted to following the casting and Northern Ireland location shoot of this series’ pilot episode, which HBO hasn’t yet confirmed will air. The reason for the feverish fan interest? The series is an adaptation of the first novel in George R.R. Martin’s beloved fantasy series that uses knights, tournaments, creatures and icy locations in the service of telling human stories where villains aren’t always the bad guys and where the honourable solution isn’t always the best one in the long run. (Thanks to Time Magazine and the Chicago Tribune for these observations.) Lena Headey from “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” will play a royal woman who’s as cunning as the men around her. Peter Dinklage, Sean Bean, Jennifer Ehle and Mark Addy costar. With any luck, HBO will green light enough games to take us through all the novels in Martin’s saga.
The only one of these shows that I will be watching is Lost, I’m glad it is ending but I am also going to miss it. Any of these shows catch your fancy?
Burger King’s ad campaigns have become incredibly weird and uncomfortable in recent years, particularly the spots featuring a disturbing big-headed King mascot. In its latest and most inappropriate (depending upon whom you ask) offering, Burger King is currently targeting British men with a crude and base promotion that has nothing to do with food or the hamburger chain.
The U.K. ‘Burger King Presents… Singing in the Shower’ Web site features a bikini-clad model who belts out popular tunes while cavorting in the shower. Viewers can actually vote on upcoming songs and bikinis, which, of course, feature predictable and lame double-entendres that incorporate words like “buns.”
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The campaign definitely seems to have been initiated by pubescent boys, as the site offers the childish tag-line of “Watch our shower babe shake her bits to the hits.” Real classy, BK. Check out the site’s current vid, as long as you meet the easily bypassed age-requirement, to see BK give new meaning to “treating women like a piece of meat.”
source: Burger King Beguiles Hungry Men With Shower Babe [VIDEO] [Discussion (0)
Because of all the drama over Adam Lambert’s “controversial’ kiss at the American Music Awards this past weekend, CNN have decided to come up with the most controversial kisses in the history of Film & Television, take a look and tell me what you think.
I really don’t find any of these kisses controversial, then again I don’t get offended at all unlike the majority of the public.
Just because Halloween is over doesn’t mean we wont keep getting lists revolving around scary movies and TV shows, which leads us to this. Yahoo have come up with a list of the scariest 10 characters on TV right now. Take a look and decide for yourself…
10. Russell (Survivor)
Not the one who almost died; the other one. The one that looks like a bulldog. He’s not quite the evil mastermind the show made him out to be but he’s still more than a little intimidating and probably not the kind of guy you’d really want to spend much time around.
9. Irina (Project Runway)
Yes, you’ve got to call it like it is sometimes, and there’s no doubting that Irina is totally talented, but don’t you get the impression that she’d smother one of the contestants in their sleep if she thought they had a better chance of winning than she did?
8. Damon (The Vampire Diaries)
He’s a callous killer who is out for blood and doesn’t care about the consequences. We like that in a guy. Plus, he earns extra credit for not just killing innocent folks, but also emotionally manipulating everyone around him.
7. Terri (Glee)
It’s not just because we don’t like her (though there’s that), but there’s something kind of terrifying about the way that she can quickly come up with an excuse for everything. A pathological liar is someone you don’t want to reckon with.
6. Trinity (Dexter)
He cuts up girls in bathtubs, forces people’s mothers to jump out of buildings, bludgeons kindly baristas, (probably) shoots cops and federal agents — and we just found out he’s a devoted and loving family man as well. Yikes!
5. Echo (Dollhouse)
She’s not the vacant, easily manipulated doll she used to be. She’s become very secretive about her knowledge, has the personalities of every imprint roaming around in her head and can become a serial killer at a moment’s notice.
4. Violet (Private Practice)
There’s something really frightening about a therapist who is so unstable and immature that she gives bad advice on a regular basis. Your therapist isn’t supposed to be a basket case who tells you to go out and get an abortion because she hates her own child.
3. Mary Murphy (So You Think You Can Dance)
It’s the scream that really freaks us out. That noise could be put on loop at your Halloween party and neighborhood kids would run away in terror. Seriously, try it if you don’t feel like giving out candy.
2. The League (Sons of Anarchy)
The League is a group of white supremacist gang-rapists with seemingly unlimited funds and influence, and they’re on the verge of completely decimating the livelihood of SAMCRO. So, yeah, we’d say they’re a tad frightening.
1. Jillian Michaels (The Biggest Loser)
It is arguably her job to be terrifying, but she’s really, really good at her job. When she starts screaming at people, we almost want to get to the nearest elliptical and run, too, just so she doesn’t come after us. Those last-chance workouts give us nightmares.
What character scares you on TV?
source: The Ten Scariest Characters on TV Now [Yahoo]
Usually you expect to see bizarre storylines on shows like Lost and Fringe, but sometimes shows that are supposed to be like normal life can be way out there too. Which leads us to the ten most ridiculous storylines on TV right now…
She has an amicable relationship with her husband, a functional relationship with her teen son and has a young, hot boyfriend who is willing to wait ten dates for sex? What a bizarrely charmed life this supposed over-the-hill loser is living.
We had a really hard time swallowing the idea that any woman could look at baby-faced Dixon and believe that he was in his mid-to-late 20s. He doesn’t look a day over 15 and when he opens his mouth, he talks like a teenager, not a savvy music producer.
We’re surprised that Lily and Marshall never tried to “couple friend” Robin when she was dating Ted. If they were so desperate, wouldn’t Marshall’s best pal have been their first target? Oh, and we’re not buying Ted as a professor either.
It’s more than a little insane to think that Sheldon and Pete, who both tried to stake claim on Violet’s kid, would have waited an entire month before even considering a paternity test. Pete had plenty of time to do that little swab test.
We’re supposed to buy that Olivia has not only landed herself a job as some sort of assistant accessories editor at Elle despite her lack of experience, but also that this lowly position would report directly to the creative director and the PR director.
For a supposedly top-secret organization, it sure is easy to get into this place. Last week they brought in a serial killer who had been hit buy a car for some medical treatment — are they moonlighting as an emergency room now?
Leonard definitely has a unique nerdish appeal, but we’re not entirely sold on the fact that Penny appreciates him for his mind. He’s nice enough, but Penny’s used to beefy men; why would she suddenly decide to date this geek?
Will’s not the brightest bulb in the shed, but even he should be able to touch his wife’s stomach and realize that she’s not actually having his baby. Either he’s the most oblivious man in the world, or he just chooses to be blind.
We were going to pick one storyline, but then we realized that the most ridiculous thing about this show is that it is still on the air. They can’t even find new ways to shock us because they’ve pretty much already done it all.
How/why is Castle still working alongside Beckett while she does her day job? He’s already published his book, after all. Also, how can he solve crimes that people who get paid to do that job for a living can’t figure out? Just saying.
Thoughts? I love Dollhouse and The City, the rest are not for me at all.
source: Fall TV’s Ten Most Ridiculous Storylines [Yahoo]
Ever wondered what rapper Warren G thinks about gay people being on television? No? Me either, because I didn’t know who he was, but he is telling Vanity Fair that he is against it….
“I ain’t against gay people. I’m just against it being promoted to kids…I know people that’s gay. My wife’s got friends that are gay. I got family that’s gay. Cousins and shit. He cool as fuck. He cool as a motherfucker. He’s my homie. I just mean that on some of these TV shows, they got dudes kissing. And kids are watching that shit. We can’t have kids growing up with that…I know it happens, but let’s keep it behind the scenes. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with it if that’s what two dudes wanna do. Cool. But that’s not bring that out into the world, where the kids can see that. We don’t want all the kids doing that. ‘Cause that ain’t how we was originally put here to do. Like I said, I ain’t got no problem with the gays.
Is any of this even considered English? Anyway, this dumb shit doesn’t even deserve a witty comment from me. So make your own up.
Pamela Anderson’s sexy PETA ad won’t fly in New York airports.
The New York Post reports that CNN Airport Network banned PETA’s new anti-fur, anti-leather commercial in which the former “Baywatch” star plays a sexy airport security guard who strips passengers of animal products.
The spot was set to debut Thursday at all three New York area airports but CNN pulled the plug, saying it wasn’t suitable for children, according to the Post report.
PETA may still try to make the ad part of in-flight entertainment.
Also featured in the “Cruelty Doesn’t Fly” commercial: Steve-O, Andy Dick, Carol Leifer and Nina Hagen.
By now we all know that Katherine Heigl (who plays Izzie Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy) will be taking a five episode break from the show she has bitched about, so she can go shoot her new movie Life As We know It.
Because of this Yahoo have come up with a list of ten characters who need to follow suit and go take a break from their show.
10. Morgan (”Chuck”)
How long does Benihana training take? A couple months, right? Maybe by then we’ll start missing this little geek, because we’ve seen an awful lot of his dating life and his Buy More hi-jinks lately. Too much, in fact.
9. Topher (”Dollhouse”)
Topher seems to be one of those love him or hate him characters, and we’re in the latter camp on this one. Since they’ve established that there are other Dollhouse locations, and this one really could use an overhaul, we’d love it if he got a temporary transfer out of there.
8. Marshall (”How I Met Your Mother”)
Last season, Alyson Hannigan was out for awhile on maternity leave and the show truly suffered without her, especially since there was more focus than ever on Lily’s other half Marshall, and his work life. Now
we’re a little over him and could use some solo Lily time.
7. Tess (”Smallville”)
On a show about heroes and villains, it would be nice if the evildoers were actually … evil. Tess is too mild-mannered to really run LuthorCorp in the nefarious way that Lex or Lionel would have wanted, and with General Zod heading to town, letting Tess stick around is pretty much pointless.
6. Kenneth (”30 Rock”)
He’s adorable and appealing, but he’s also best in small doses — otherwise his limited shtick gets very old and very tired. Maybe Kenneth can take some time off to return home for a while and then find a way to come back with bizarre new stories to share.
5.Charlotte (”Private Practice”)
We were so happy when she got canned from her private practice at the end of last season that we’d love for her to take a little time off to do some soul-searching. And we’re sure that after this role, KaDee Strickland will have no problem landing a part in any rom-com as someone’s annoying wife.
4. Dwight (”The Office”)
The thing about Dwight is that, like Kenneth, he’s best in small doses, and lately we’ve been overloaded with his strange antics and even stranger romantic entanglements. We think he needs to spend more time in the marketing of his beet farm’s bed and breakfast.
3. Jenny Humphrey (”Gossip Girl”)
While all of the other characters are going to be in college, Jenny’s going to be stuck reigning as Queen of Constance Billard. What a letdown it’ll be for viewers to have to go from college life to a funky dressed Jenny still dealing with high school issues. Can’t she just do a semester or two abroad?
2. Thirteen (”House”)
If Olivia Wilde decided to go take a break and star in some ridiculous horror movie screaming her head off while, say, her character disappeared south of the border for some experimental Huntington’s treatment for a hunk of the season, it would be such a welcome change of pace.
1. Sylar (”Heroes”)
Sylar’s a great creepy villain, but we’re burned out on the character at this point. We’d be thrilled if his personality would stay buried deep within its current Nathan shell for a good part of the season. Let another villain do nefarious deeds for a while — after all, even Batman didn’t fight the Joker every single week.
I agree with almost every one of these apart from Jenny from Gossip Girl and of course Thirteen on House who is played by Olivia Wilde, if she went we wouldn’t get any hot photoshoots.
This is just absolutely ridiculous, it has been reported that Mischa Barton was ordered to lose some weight.
Mischa, who recently had a breakdown and was put under involuntary psychiatric care, is said to have been “shocked to tears” at the orders.
She was told to lose 10lbs for her role as a model in her new TV show, The Beautiful Life.
A source said, “she knows that means they are calling her fat behind her back. She knows she is heavier than she needs to be but to hear it like that? it really shook her. How can Mischa play a model when she’s looking so heavy? She’s broken down in tears more than once before shooting. It’s a lot of pressure for someone who is just out of hospital.”
Apparently she is determined to lose the weight as quick as she can, “she’s always been able to lose weight fast. Everyone knows she’s been struggling, so people are just really rooting for her.”
The pictures are off Mischa Barton taking a break on the set of The Beautiful Life in New York City yesterday.
Tiger Woods was caught on tape passing gas at the 18th hole during the 2009 Buick Open. He’s standing next to his caddy and they both crack up afterward like a couple of kids.
The Tiger Woods fart video is getting more attention than his win of the 2009 Buick Open.
I know that this article does not qualify as late-breaking news but you gotta admit it is funny and a nice break from a boring work filled Monday.
source: A Question That Needs An Answer: Did Tiger Woods Fart On TV [dlisted]
An advertisement produced for Sprite in Germany, according to Current TV, has apparently been banned from the air, for pretty obvious reasons.
It combines oral sex and the desire for a refreshing Sprite to create a big finish that has to be seen to be believed.
According to Coca-Cola?
This video was NOT produced by or for The Coca-Cola Company or any of its brands. The use of our Sprite brand in this video is completely unauthorized. We are doing everything we can to determine the source of the video and will take appropriate legal action.
Oh but of course. The source is SillyDogFilms via YouTube – Upon search of the channel, I found this info on SillyDogFilms:
Age: 25
Joined: July 16, 2009
About Me: SIlly Dog Films is a New York based director’s collective. We’re here to show our work and hopefully you’re here to see it.
My guess? They thought Coca-Cola wouldn’t care about a “Banned German Ad.” Poor guy, he just joined on July 16th and already has his first lawsuit. A big one too.
Last week we got the nominations for the 2009 Emmy Awards, but now we get an even better list – the 25 biggest Emmy snubs ever.
25. SPORTS NIGHT
Aaron Sorkin’s dramedy about a struggling cable sports program had it all: a swoon-inducing central romance (between Peter Krause’s sly anchor and Felicity Huffman’s brainy producer); a stunning supporting cast (including the awesome Robert Guillaume); and lightning-quick dialogue that ranged from heartbreaking to hilarious. And funny enough, we reacted to Sports Night’s lack of Emmy recognition much the same way we would to a typical episode — by laughing out loud and reaching for the Kleenex.
24. WALTON GOGGINS The Shield
Michael Chiklis garnered most of the award attention for his bulldog-on-steroids performance as Vic Mackey, the head of a stop-at-nothing L.A. police squad. But as his onetime right-hand man and best friend Shane Vendrell, Goggins also proved he’s an acting force to be reckoned with. A loose cannon whose messes kept getting bigger and stickier and more dangerous each season, Shane spun out of control in season 6, playing all sides against each other and becoming hell-bent on self-destruction after dropping a hand grenade in the lap of his squad mate at the end of season 5.
23. MY SO-CALLED LIFE
Okay, so it only lasted one season. And while ”the Academy” didn’t know it then, this critically acclaimed ratings bust has since become one of the most beloved cult-classics to ever hit the tube. It not only captured teen angst in a way few have been able to replicate, but it also showed the softer side of trying to figure out who you are. Although I may never forgive Claire Danes (she admitted to EW in 2004 that she had a hand in the show not returning for a second season) at least they didn’t go with their first rumored pick — Alicia Silverstone. Cher pining over brooding Jordan Catalano? Whatever!
22. SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Can you believe it!? I guess it’s not too surprising that SMG was never nominated. The closest this classic ever got to a major nomination was a writing nod for the genius Joss Whedon (and the poor guy didn’t even win). But if there was one person that deserved that little golden angel it was Gellar (duh), who played Buffy Summers as a high school girl all high school kids could relate to. Sure, the goths may have claimed her, but Buffy blurred the lines of cliques and social circles and played into a fantasy any high schooler would envy: superpowers + important mission in life.
21. HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET
When it premiered in January 1993, Homicide was a meticulously bleak show — morose, cynical, and allusive in a way nothing else on prime time was even trying to be. Critical raves poured in for these tales of the Baltimore homicide division; viewers, correctly suspecting a downer, stayed away in droves. Sadly, the Academy didn’t bestow the Best Dramatic Series love either. And that’s a crime.
20. AN AMERICAN FAMILY
Twelve episodes. One family. A 20-year-old gay man. And more than 10 million viewers. Long before The Real World, The Osbournes, and Wife Swap, filmmakers Susan and Alan Raymond gave America a peek inside the lives of a normal clan, the Louds, in An American Family. PBS’ documentary series was so ahead of its time that no Emmy category existed in 1973 to accommodate it. (Sure, it might have qualified for Outstanding Documentary, but that category was filled with news-division shows on such topics as Watergate.) Among the first ”ordinary people” to become ”celebrities,” the Loud family appeared on the cover of Newsweek and son Lance became something of a gay icon. Little did they know what they had wrought.
19. KATEY SAGAL Married…With Children
With a cigarette dangling from one hand and the remote control from the other, Sagal’s sex-obsessed Peggy ruled the suburban middle-class wasteland that was the Bundy household. It was the actress’ own idea to outfit her character in ’60s- and ’70s-style TV-housewife garb — a hilarious move, as it further highlighted the divide between those women’s devotion to homemaking and Peg’s refusal to ever lift a fake nail…unless it was to eat a bonbon.
18. RON HOWARD The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days
Don’t you wish there was a ”Best Narration” category? Because Ron Howard would’ve cleaned up for Arrested Development. Sticking to his on-screen appearances, the Academy dissed Howard in his six seasons as Howdy Doody look-alike Richie Cunningham on Happy Days. But how could little Ronny not have scored a nod for the episode ”Opie the Birdman” from The Andy Griffith Show? Not many child stars can communicate a dawning youngster’s awareness of the value of life, the importance of parenting, and the pain of separation as he did in this episode, a performance mature in its innocence.
17. AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL
Just how crazy a weave must Tyra don before Emmy takes notice of ANTM? The supermodel’s modeling competition may not score the ratings of some other reality juggernauts, but when it comes to entertainment value, the show never disappoints (see: every cycle’s makeover episode). And unlike some other reality shows, ANTM actually does produce some success stories (e.g. Eva Pigford, Danielle Evans, Adrianne Curry…kinda). C’mon Emmy, you know that ANTM deserves to still be in the running to become Best. Reality. Competition. Show.
16. KRISTIN DAVIS Sex and the City
From home, we all followed Kristin Davis’ Park Avenue princess Charlotte York as she went through the same big-girl realizations as the rest of us. Discarding Prince Charming fantasies and big-city illusions, Charlotte developed throughout the series into the sweet but strong woman we later saw on the big screen
15. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
The most likely reason Ronald D. Moore’s magnum opus hasn’t been nominated is that it’s ”too genre,” which is ironic given that Battlestar Galactica is a self-conscious break from the genre conventions that have clogged much of TV sci-fi (I’m looking at you, Star Trek: Enterprise). BSG is great drama that just happens to be set in a sci-fi context.
14. CHLOË SEVIGNY Big Love
While it’s slightly shocking to see indie fashionista Chloë Sevigny so comfortable in the conservative skin of Mormon Nicki on HBO’s Big Love, the actress’ portrayal of the second wife is believable far beyond her single braid/turtleneck/long skirt ensembles. She gives an honest glimpse into the struggles facing a fundamentalist polygamist gal trying to survive in a world where her belief system is illegal.
13. DESI ARNAZ I Love Lucy
Sure, we all know that the real star of I Love Lucy was comedy legend Lucille Ball, but Lucy wouldn’t have been half as funny without her heavy-accented, bongo-banging, disciplinarian foil/husband Ricky Ricardo, played by real-life spouse Arnaz. In fact, out of the show’s four regular cast members — Ball, Arnaz, William Frawley, and Vivian Vance — Arnaz was the only one never recognized during its six-year run. Emmy, you got some ’splainin’ to do.
12. CONNIE BRITTON AND KYLE CHANDLER Friday Night Lights
Eric and Tami Taylor, TV’s most realistic couple (and yes, that includes reality shows), are just too divine. Why? They — he, the obsessive coach; she, the doting mom and school counselor — are believable: They fight, make up, talk, parent, and work together with the harmony and grace of a pair that’s been together in real life for years.
11. THE WIRE
We can almost convince ourselves that there were too many fantastic actors on David Simon’s Baltimore threnody for Emmy to get around to them all (though how one overlooks Dominic West or Michael K. Williams, we’ll never know). But that a series routinely hailed as one of the best shows ever on television — if not the best — never even garnered a dramatic series nod? Shameful.
10. COURTENEY COX Friends
How was Cox — who aced her half of the Chandler-Monica affair — the only Friend ignored?
9. BOB NEWHART The Bob Newhart Show
Three noms for Newhart’s next sitcom didn’t make up for earlier snubs.
8. HEATHER LOCKLEAR Melrose Place
Her hilariously bitchy stroll on Melrose turned a snooze into a must-watch.
7. NORMAN FELL
Three’s Company
The only thing lovable about wife-hating homophobe Mr. Roper? Fell’s perfect timing.
6. MICHAEL LANDON
Ignoring the beloved star for his two seminal series, Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie, is like never sending your dad a Father’s Day card.
5. THE HONEYMOONERS
One of the best sitcoms on TV, and prototype for the rest of the best. Pity Emmy voters never noticed.
4. LAUREN GRAHAM Gilmore Girls
Put those hyperliterate scripts in a lesser actress’ hands — see what hash they make of them.
3. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Believe it or not, kids, before Lost, Emmy didn’t always understand shows with fanciful premises.
2. ANDY GRIFFITH
The Andy Griffith Show
Don Knotts nabbed four trophies, but not one nod for the sheriff? A crime!
1. ROSEANNE
Emmy loved the sitcom’s actors but never acknowledged the show or its writers. So the stars did an amazing job saying…nothing worthwhile?
I think this is one of the few lists that I agree with everything on it, yes including America’s Next Top Model. I am a huge fan of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and always thought it was robbed every year.
The 2009 Emmy Awards nominations were released this morning and it isn’t good for True Blood.
However it is some good news for 30 Rock which leads the way with 22 nominations, with Mad Men following behind with 16 nominations.
Family Guy got nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, making it the first ever cartoon since The Flinstones to get nominated. Katherine Heigl who caused a lot of fuss last year didn’t get nominated this year.
This years show will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. Check after the jump for the full list of Nominations.
Outstanding Comedy Series
30 Rock
Entourage
Family Guy
Flight Of The Conchords
How I Met Your Mother
The Office
Weeds
Outstanding Drama Series
Big Love
Breaking Bad
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost
Mad Men
Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series
Steve Martin – 30 Rock
Jon Hamm – 30 Rock
Alan Alda – 30 Rock
Beau Bridges – Desperate Housewives
Justin Timberlake – Saturday Night Live
Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series
Edward Asner – CSI: NY
Ted Danson – Damages
Jimmy Smits – Dexter
Ernest Borgnine – ER
Michael J. Fox – Rescue Me
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
Jennifer Aniston – 30 Rock
Elaine Stritch – 30 Rock
Gena Rowlands – Monk
Betty White – My Name Is Earl
Tina Fey – Saturday Night Live
Christine Baranski – The Big Bang Theory
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series
Sharon Lawrence – Grey’s Anatomy
Ellen Burstyn – Law & Order: SVU
Brenda Blethyn – Law & Order: SVU
Carol Burnett – Law & Order: SVU
CCH Pounder – The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
Outstanding Host For A Reality Program
Ryan Seacrest – American Idol
Tom Bergeron – Dancing with the Stars
Heidi Klum – Project Runway
Jeff Probst – Survivor
Phil Keoghan – The Amazing Race
Padma Lakshmi & Tom Colicchio – Top Chef
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin – 30 Rock
Jemaine Clement – Flight of the Conchords
Tony Shalhoub – Monk
Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory
Steve Carell – The Office
Charlie Sheen – Two and a Half Men
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Bryan Cranston – Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall – Dexter
Hugh Laurie – House
Gabriel Byrne – In Treatment
Jon Hamm – Mad Men
Simon Baker – The Mentalist
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Tina Fey – 30 Rock
Christina Applegate – Samantha Who?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – The New Adventures of Old Christine
Sarah Silverman – The Sarah Silverman Program
Toni Collette – The United States of Tara
Mary-Louise Parker – Weeds
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Sally Field – Brothers & Sisters
Glenn Close – Damages
Mariska Hargitay – Law & Order: SVU
Elisabeth Moss – Mad Men
Holly Hunter – Saving Grace
Kyra Sedgwick – The Closer
Outstanding Reality – Competition Program
American Idol
Dancing With The Stars
Project Runway
The Amazing Race
Top Chef
Outstanding Reality Program
Antiques Roadshow
Dirty Jobs
Dog Whisperer
Intervention
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
MythBusters
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Tracy Morgan – 30 Rock
Jack McBrayer – 30 Rock
Kevin Dillon – Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris – How I Met Your Mother
Rainn Wilson – The Office
Jon Cryer – Two And A Half Men
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
William Shatner, Boston Legal
Christian Clemenson – Breaking Bad
Aaron Paul – Damages
William Hurt – Damages
Michael Emerson – Lost
John Slattery – Mad Men
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Jane Krakowski – 30 Rock
Kristin Chenoweth – Pushing Daisies
Amy Poehler – Saturday Night Live
Kristin Wiig – Saturday Night Live
Vanessa Williams – Ugly Betty
Elizabeth Perkins – Weeds
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Cherry Jones – 24
Rose Byrne – Damages
Sandra Oh – Grey’s Anatomy
Chandra Wilson – Grey’s Anatomy
Dianne Wiest – In Treatment
Hope Davis – In Treatment
What gets “The Hills” star Audrina Patridge going? Apparently, an enormous Teriyaki Six Dollar Burger from Carl’s Jr. Yeah, I’m not buying that either.
Following in the fast-food footsteps of Paris Hilton and Padma Lakshmi, who previously steamed up screens for the chain, is Patridge (set to star in her own TV series) and her sexy and suggestive new Carl’s Jr. ad campaign.
And boy does she put The ‘Bu in Burger — working a skimpy gold bikini, a SoCal tan and a bombshell ‘do, all while consuming a burger almost the size of her head.
The sure-to-be controversial commercial will premiere on June 24, coinciding with the burger’s release. Both will have mouths watering.
So, has Audrina dethroned Paris and Padma to become the reigning burger queen?
Singing sensation Susan Boyle — whose dowdy image contrasted so greatly with her angelic voice that she became an instant Internet celebrity — has gone in for a makeover.
Boyle, 47, had her graying, frizzy hair dyed chestnut brown and styled in what The Sun tabloid says was a 35-pound ($50) makeover. And instead of the old-fashioned dress she wore on the TV show “Britain’s Got Talent,” the Scottish singer was photographed wearing a stylish black leather jacket with what looked to be a Burberry scarf.
Asked if she would change her looks on CNN’s Larry King Live, Boyle replied “Why should I change?”
Because she looked dreadful and is now going to be continually seen by millions?
The problem, of course, is that her fame was largely sparked precisely because of how un-starlike she looked. People were prepared to laugh at her, presuming that she was one of the pathetic figures these shows trot out in the opening weeks of new seasons for comedic effect, only to be shocked at how amazing her voice was.
