Friday, January 30, 2009

American Idol Auditions in NYC and San Juan

Jackie's TV Blog, American Idol

Last night American Idol hit two different cities within a mere hour. We're talking San Juan (Puerto Rico) and New York City. Yep, it was at warp speed. I can understand why they condensed the two cities into the hour. With the lack of talent shown, a half-hour may have done the trick.

For some reason, in both cities the judges sat in front of a window. Not only did I find it distracting to see things moving about behind them, but at one point the window tint pane set (the only way I can think to describe it) came crashing down. That, for me, was the highlight of the evening. Ah. well ... at least it didn't look like the contestants were bringing their gold tickets down some back porch like Jacksonville.

I'm kind of pleased they went to San Juan. If memory serves, they've never held auditions there before. It might add a bit of spice. I think, overall, the auditions in San Juan had more interesting singers than NYC. However, it could all be in the editing.

Okay ... to the talent, or lack thereof. I think I'm getting cranky. I kind of liked one of the guys in San Juan. But, once again, no one blew me away. At least they didn't make an innocent guy look threatening. Yep, the show apologized to Mudd ... as they should.

In a sidenote: My doctor called out sick today and my appointment was canceled. Argh. I have it set up for next Friday. This is for the not-replaced (so far) knee.


Thursday, January 29, 2009

LOST Last Night



I'm still a bit confused, but the time-warping of the group on the island is making things interesting once again. I'm not sure how Juliette time-warps with Sawyer, Locke, Faraday, and the others when she's technically an Other. The Others don't seem affected by the time zaps at all. Maybe she isn't really an Other because she wasn't born there. But neither was Ben, his father or most of the other Others. Maybe she's lost what made her an Other because she betrayed them. I don't know. Of course, Richard Alpert isn't affected by time at all. "He's old," said Juliette. But he never ages, not a bit.

Hmm ... last night's episode ("Jughead") was all about the island and nothing about the reunion of the Oceanic Six. So, Charles Widmore was on the island under Richard, eh? I wonder what happened which made him a rich man and made him the guardian of hiding the island from the world.

Jughead was an H-bomb. If you bury an H-bomb, it won't just blow up as decomposition goes on all about it? I don't know.

It seems like Mrs. Hawkings is indeed Faraday's mother -- she was in L.A. when Ben saw her and Widmore told Desmond she's in L.A.

We now know why Richard Alpert was there for John Locke's birth -- John Locke from the future told him about it before it happened.

My head is spinning a bit, but this is better than smoke monsters.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

What a Wednesday Primetime TV!

Jackie's TV Blog, American Idol

I'm writing this up during commercials as I watch Life on Mars. Now, tonight was one darn good television night for me! First, there was American Idol (which I'll write a bit about here), then Lost (will write more about tomorrow), now Life on Mars (which I probably won't do much more than touch on in this entry). One quick time quibble with Life on Mars -- All in the Family started in 1971. This show is supposed to be 1973. In 1973 everybody knew who Archie and Meathead were! How did that get by the producers, editors, etc.?

I didn't write up anything on last night's American Idol and ended up hitting the sack not much after it ended as I had to get up extra early today. Had the Jacksonville auditions had anyone who really impressed me, I would have written a quick entry last night. But, blech for the most part. A few were okay, but they'd have a long way to go to win it all.

Tonight's auditions from Salt Lake City were different for me. First off, there was an Osmond -- the son of Alan Osmond, the eldest singing Osmond. I didn't realize Alan had been sick and he does really look like he's been through the wringer. But he has a son much cuter than Donny ever was! I thought the Osmond could sing, too. He made it to Hollywood.

As a sidenote, I saw Donny on The Bonnie Hunt Show recently. He will be doing Dancing With the Stars.

I also liked Megan (very pretty stay-at-home-mom with tattooed arm) and blond girl at the end whose parents passed away. Yeah, another sob story. There are a million sob stories on the show and she's but a one. However, I enjoyed her voice. She could be very interesting.

Did anyone catch your eye? And, how do you like the new graphic by rockin' Zoetawny?

Monday, January 26, 2009

Some TV, Some Off Topic, and Happy New Year!


This sign for Broadway.com is way off base -- "18 million people in NYC and only 70,000 Broadway seats." Um, NYC is more like 8 million, not 18. What's up with that? I apologize for the quality of the image. I took it out the train window.

In TV doings, my latest review of Cold Case and my latest Reality Clack column are both up over on CliqueClack TV.Tonight's Big Bang Theory is a repeat, so I won't be rewriting the review I posted a while back. At least Letterman is new this week. Phew!

Today marks the Year of the Ox. Happy New Year! The big parade in Chinatown is Sunday. I'm toying with the idea of going into the city for it. A lot will depend on the weather and, of course, how I feel.

I've got a bit of bad news for the regular readers ... well, for me, at least. It's nothing which will affect the blog or anything. But I've been having problems with my right knee (my original bad knee which was operated on ten years ago). I have a visit scheduled with the orthopedic surgeon this coming Friday. Right now I have to work longer before I can have any sort of operation as I have to build up my short term disability. I generally don't put too much stock in them, but I'm going to ask for a cortisone shot in the knee to buy me a few months. I'm probably going to end up with a second knee replacement. Thankfully, I only have two knees!

In better news, I saw Roofus the cat on Saturday morning and forgot to post the photos! (Clicking on them will make the image open larger in a new window.)



Today's musical non sequitur:
Workin' in a coal mine

Goin' down down down
Workin' in a coal mine
Whoop! About to slip down
-- "Working in a Coal Mine" by Lee Dorsey

Sunday, January 25, 2009

SAG Awards Tonight

Yes, it's that time again. Tonight, on both TNT and TBS at 8 PM ET, we have the gala event of the Screen Actors Guild awards. I have to watch Cold Case so I can write up the review for CliqueClack TV, but I will hopefully be able watch some of the awards show or the rebroadcast at 11 PM ET. James Earl Jones will receive a SAG Lifetime Achievement Award, definitely deserved methinks. Here are the television-related nominees:

Primetime Television
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
RALPH FIENNES Bernard Lafferty BERNARD AND DORIS HBO
PAUL GIAMATTI John Adams JOHN ADAMS HBO
KEVIN SPACEY Ron Klain RECOUNT HBO
KIEFER SUTHERLAND Jack Bauer 24: REDEMPTION FOX
TOM WILKINSON Benjamin Franklin JOHN ADAMS HBO

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
LAURA DERN Katherine Harris RECOUNT HBO
LAURA LINNEY Abigail Adams JOHN ADAMS HBO
SHIRLEY MacLAINE Coco Chanel COCO CHANEL Lifetime
PHYLICIA RASHAD Lena Younger A RAISIN IN THE SUN ABC
SUSAN SARANDON Doris Duke BERNARD AND DORIS HBO

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
MICHAEL C. HALL Dexter Morgan DEXTER Showtime
JON HAMM Don Draper MAD MEN AMC
HUGH LAURIE Gregory House HOUSE FOX
WILLIAM SHATNER Denny Crane BOSTON LEGAL ABC
JAMES SPADER Alan Shore BOSTON LEGAL ABC

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
SALLY FIELD Nora Walker BROTHERS & SISTERS ABC
MARISKA HARGITAY Det. Olivia Benson LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT NBC
HOLLY HUNTER Grace Hanadarko SAVING GRACE TNT
ELISABETH MOSS Peggy Olson MAD MEN AMC
KYRA SEDGWICK Dep. Chief Brenda Johnson THE CLOSER TNT

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN Jack Donaghy 30 ROCK NBC
STEVE CARELL Michael Scott THE OFFICE NBC
DAVID DUCHOVNY Hank Moody CALIFORNICATION Showtime
JEREMY PIVEN Ari Gold ENTOURAGE HBO
TONY SHALHOUB Adrian Monk MONK USA

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE Samantha Newly SAMANTHA WHO? ABC
AMERICA FERRERA Betty Suarez UGLY BETTY ABC
TINA FEY Liz Lemon 30 ROCK NBC
MARY-LOUISE PARKER Nancy Botwin WEEDS Showtime
TRACEY ULLMAN Various Characters TRACEY ULLMAN’S STATE OF THE UNION Showtime

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
BOSTON LEGAL ABC
CANDICE BERGEN Shirley Schmidt
SAFFRON BURROWS Lorraine Weller
CHRISTIAN CLEMENSON Jerry Espenson
TARAJI P. HENSON Whitney Rome
JOHN LARROQUETTE Carl Sack
WILLIAM SHATNER Denny Crane
JAMES SPADER Alan Shore
TARA SUMMERS Katie Lloyd
GARY ANTHONY WILLIAMS Clarence Bell
THE CLOSER TNT
G.W. BAILEY Lt. Provenza
MICHAEL PAUL CHAN Lt. Mike Tao
RAYMOND CRUZ Det. Julio Sanchez
TONY DENISON Lt. Andy Flynn
ROBERT GOSSETT Commander Taylor
PHILLIP P. KEENE Buzz Watson
GINA RAVERA Det. Irene Daniels
COREY REYNOLDS Sgt. David Gabriel
KYRA SEDGWICK Dep. Chief Brenda Johnson
J.K. SIMMONS Asst. Police Chief Will Pope
JON TENNEY FBI Agent Fritz Howard
DEXTER Showtime
PRESTON BAILEY Cody
JULIE BENZ Rita Bennett
JENNIFER CARPENTER Debra Morgan
VALERIE CRUZ Syl Prado
KRISTIN DATTILO Det. Barbara Gianna
MICHAEL C. HALL Dexter Morgan
DESMOND HARRINGTON Joey Quinn
C.S. LEE Vince Masuka
JASON MANUEL OLAZABAL Ramon Prado
DAVID RAMSEY Anton
JAMES REMAR Harry Morgan
CHRISTINA ROBINSON Astor
JIMMY SMITS Miguel Prado
LAUREN VÉLEZ Lt. Maria Laguerta
DAVID ZAYAS Angel Batista
HOUSE FOX
LISA EDELSTEIN Dr. Lisa Cuddy
OMAR EPPS Dr. Eric Foreman
PETER JACOBSON Dr. Chris Taub
HUGH LAURIE Dr. Gregory House
ROBERT SEAN LEONARD Dr. James Wilson
JENNIFER MORRISON Dr. Allison Cameron
KAL PENN Dr. Lawrence Kutner
JESSE SPENCER Dr. Robert Chase
OLIVIA WILDE Dr. Remy Hadley/Thirteen
MAD MEN AMC
BRYAN BATT Salvatore Romano
ALISON BRIE Trudy Campbell
MICHAEL GLADIS Paul Kinsey
JON HAMM Don Draper
CHRISTINA HENDRICKS Joan Holloway
JANUARY JONES Betty Draper
VINCENT KARTHEISER Pete Campbell
MARK MOSES Herman “Duck” Phillips
ELISABETH MOSS Peggy Olson
JOHN SLATTERY Roger Sterling
RICH SOMMER Harry Crane
AARON STATON Ken Cosgrove

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 ROCK NBC
SCOTT ADSIT Pete Hornberger
ALEC BALDWIN Jack Donaghy
KATRINA BOWDEN Cerie
TINA FEY Liz Lemon
JUDAH FRIEDLANDER Frank Rossitano
JANE KRAKOWSKI Jenna Maroney
JACK McBRAYER Kenneth Parcell
TRACY MORGAN Tracy Jordan
MAULIK PANCHOLY Jonathan
KEITH POWELL Toofer
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ABC
KENDALL APPLEGATE Penny Scavo
ANDREA BOWEN Julie Mayer
CHARLIE CARVER Porter Scavo
MAX CARVER Preston Scavo
RICARDO ANTONIO CHAVIRA Carlos Solis
MARCIA CROSS Bree Van De Kamp Hodge
DANA DELANY Katherine Mayfair
JAMES DENTON Mike Delfino
LYNDSY FONSECA Dylan Mayfair
RACHEL FOX Kayla Huntington
TERI HATCHER Susan Mayer
ZANE HUETT Parker Scavo
FELICITY HUFFMAN Lynette Scavo
BRENT KINSMAN Younger Porter Scavo
SHANE KINSMAN Younger Preston Scavo
JOY LAUREN Danielle Van De Kamp
EVA LONGORIA-PARKER Gabrielle Solis
KYLE MacLACHLAN Orson Hodge
NEAL McDONOUGH Dave Williams
JOSHUA MOORE Parker Scavo
SHAWN PYFROM Andrew Van De Kamp
DOUG SAVANT Tom Scavo
NICOLLETTE SHERIDAN Edie Britt
BRENDA STRONG Mary Alice Young
ENTOURAGE HBO
KEVIN CONNOLLY Eric Murphy
KEVIN DILLON Johnny Drama
JERRY FERRARA Turtle
ADRIAN GRENIER Vincent Chase
REX LEE Lloyd
JEREMY PIVEN Ari Gold
PERREY REEVES Mrs. Ari
THE OFFICE NBC
LESLIE DAVID BAKER Stanley Hudson
BRIAN BAUMGARTNER Kevin Malone
CREED BRATTON Creed Bratton
STEVE CARELL Michael Scott
JENNA FISCHER Pam Beesly
KATE FLANNERY Meredith Palmer
MELORA HARDIN Jan Levenson
ED HELMS Andrew Bernard
MINDY KALING Kelly Kapoor
ANGELA KINSEY Angela Martin
JOHN KRASINSKI Jim Halpert
PAUL LIEBERSTEIN Toby Flenderson
B.J. NOVAK Ryan Howard
OSCAR NUÑEZ Oscar Martinez
CRAIG ROBINSON Darryl Philbin
PHYLLIS SMITH Phyllis Lapin
RAINN WILSON Dwight Schrute
WEEDS Showtime
DEMIÁN BICHIR Esteban Reyes
JULIE BOWEN Lisa
ENRIQUE CASTILL Cesar
GUILLERMO DIAZ Guillermo
ALEXANDER GOULD Shane Botwin
ALLIE GRANT Isabelle Hodes
JUSTIN KIRK Andy Botwin
HEMKY MADERA Ignacio
ANDY MILDER Dean Hodes
KEVIN NEALON Doug Wilson
MARY-LOUISE PARKER Nancy Botwin
HUNTER PARRISH Silas Botwin
ELIZABETH PERKINS Celia Hodes
JACK STEHLIN Roy Till

Me? I'd be tickled pink if Michael C. Hall won for Dexter! How about you?

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Survivor Tocantins Just Around the Corner


We'll have a new season with new castaways to love or hate starting Thursday, February 12 at 8 PM ET/PT. Unlike previous years when everything was hush-hush, they have the two tribes laid out for us on the show's website. Apparently they figured out that keeping secrets from us doesn't always work too well, eh?



Two people,one from each tribe, will be voted off before making it to camp. Yikes!



In the days between now and the season premiere, I'll be taking a closer look at the castaways. I just can't believe Jeff Probst when he claims there are so many likable folks! I'm sure I can gripe about some!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

A LOST Night

Jackie's TV Blog, Lost

Much like Zoetawny's graphic above, I've found myself pulled right into Lost once again. That said, I'm glad I've decided not to do lengthy recap-type posts on the show this season. Man, it is so darned complicated! And, not only would I have to write the equivalent of a novella on each episode, you know the Lost purists would surely arrive to let me know what I got wrong or forgot to mention. So, the short report is best, methinks. Plus, you can flesh more out in comments. Because, you guys -- the Seekers of Kale Sisterhood -- rock.

It's a good thing that I watched the "questions answered" hour before the two-hour premiere. I had forgotten or not tied together a lot of things. But I'm still a bit confused. Aren't you?

Okay, the folks from Flight 815 are time-shifting, yet the island is remaining in its proper time and place? (Here's a situation for Hiro from Heroes!) The Orchid Station apparently has the key to the time shifting. Hmmm. And, Ben is turning the wheel, yet the show jumps all around in time, thus adding to the confusion.

Both Desmond and Daniel Farraday seem like they're going to be key characters in this new season. They are the constants -- while they know they've previously (or future-ly) met, they carry reminders of the meeting and don't recall the details.

Ben is determined to gather the Oceanic Six for a return to the island but is given a timeframe of 70 hours by Mrs. Hawkings (Daniel's mother). Sayid has turned against Ben and Hurley has his George Washington thing going on -- he just can't tell a lie and can't live a lie either. I loved his line about how Sayid should eat more comfort food and he'd be less likely to go around killing people.

What's up with Sun? She tells Widmore she wants Ben dead, but I'm not so sure she isn't playing him. I think she might realize there's a chance Jin is alive. She blames Kate for his death, yet knows Kate saved her and Aaron. Oh, I'm so confused!

Is Hurley the key to everything? Is it Hurley himself which is so important to return to the island? Or, does it have to be the entire six in time and space? I don't know.

And what's with Locke? I used to say Locke was the key to the series. In a way, he still is. His death will be the force (besides Ben) to bring them back to the island. Plus, he was traveling alone in his own time stream on the island. Could he have a future or past alter-ego thing going on? The Others didn't travel with him through time, yet Richard said he had already told him of the gunshot wound. So Richard had to know the future John Locke even though it wasn't shown. He gave Locke a constant, the compass, so if they meet in time, they'll know there's a connection. It was the same compass young John Locke was previously given.

That leads me to another cute line. Alpert: "Here's a compass, just show it to me when we meet again." Locke: "What does it do?" Alpert: "It points north."

I'm still quite confused with the goings-on, but you know I'll be watching. Did you watch? Your thoughts?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Today and Tonight on TV


If decorative kale could shiver, it would be shivering. It's been really cold here for over a week. But that didn't stop Roofus the cat from catching some early morning rays today. Read on for TV stuff!


I've learned my lesson. Never again will I whine about nothing on television. Tonight I'll be watching the three hours of Lost. The first hour is actually that questions answered thing they previously aired. However, with the long hiatus, I need a refresher. I won't be blogging the show in depth here as I found I was missing too much when I did it. But I'll surely zap up a short commentary post on it.

I plan on recording both American Idol and Criminal Minds. I haven't even really thought about the 10 PM (ET) hour -- chances are that I'll be recording something then, too. And I have yet to watch my Bonnie Hunt Show I recorded today while I was at work. So much to watch, so little time.

What are your TV plans for tonight?

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Inauguration Day and American Idol, too!


Today was not only an historic moment in time, but it was personally moving as well. As one who remembers the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s, I'm proud that we as a people have shown that the color of a person's skin is not the only thing he's all about. With Barack Obama, I think his intelligence, charisma, and determination to succeed played a role in his victory. It's very reminiscent of the kind of charisma of Bobby Kennedy so many decades ago. I'm proud that Americans have elected such a man and I'm hopeful for the future. I usually don't delve into politics here on the blog as things can get so vehement.

But it's a new day. We have a new first family in the White House. These are truly interesting times we live in. And, even if you aren't a supporter, he's got one of the most fun names of any President ever -- it just rolls right off the tongue, fun to say, fun to type! Barack Obama! :-)

I watched today's events unfold on TV. I've only been to one Presidential Inauguration in my life and I wasn't exactly at the Inauguration, nor was I particularly a desired guest.


Yep, on January 20, 1973, I was in Washington to protest Richard Nixon's second Inauguration. Riot police with plexiglass shields every three feet, tear gas, and all. Above is one of the pins I still have from that event. I was a McGovern/Shriver campaign worker and it was the biggest landslide loss in history. I didn't get myself arrested which was a good thing. I'd never be a good ex-convict. I was too young to vote. Back then you had to be 21. I was all of 17 but was a politically active college kid at the time. Thirteen buses took us from Albany (NY) to Washington. It was a day I'll never forget.

Correction for the historians out there -- 1972 was the first Presidential election in which 18-year-olds could vote. Before that, the voting age was 21. It didn't really matter to me as I was 17.

I didn't go today. But in many ways, my memories of today will be stronger than my personal experiences back then. I'm proud of us!


And, just to touch on it -- American Idol had its San Francisco auditions tonight. Unlike last week's shows, it was only an hour long. I wasn't really blown away by any of the auditions. There was one guy whose voice I liked, but his look reeked of David Cook. Same haircut. Gosh, I don't like that haircut.

Monday, January 19, 2009

A Quick Note

My computer had issues ... and I had to wait for a part and have been offline since my last post here. I'm alive and well enough, though. I'll be writing a review of tonight's The Big Bang Theory for CliqueClack TV in a bit.

Did anyone watch The Beast on A&E -- the new Patrick Swayze series? I watched it and will probably watch again. But, overall, I came away with the feeling that the whole show (writing, characters, storyline) was a bit overdone. Is it just me?

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Roofus the Cat, the American Idol Kansas City Auditions


We're in the beginning of a bitter cold spell here in New Jersey. But early this morning on my way to work, I spotted a certain Roofus the cat taking a nap in his favorite spot. I think the sun probably heats the bricks some. He didn't look uncomfortable, but I was shivering. (Remember, if you click on the image it will open up in a new window much larger than it is here.)

Now it's on to American Idol ...


Heh. Yes, I'm using this for the bad auditions. In reality, it's on the side of the Friends Meeting House (Shakers) in Plainfield, NJ and it's regarding the war. But it fits this situation to a lesser extent.

The bad were bad once again tonight on American Idol. However, I was more impressed with the folks they showed making it through tonight in the Kansas City auditions than I was with the ones from Phoenix. I'm not too keen on Jason Castro's younger brother, but I doubt he'll make it through Hollywood (two) Weeks. The last young woman (mother of three children, living in hotel with husband and kids due to tornado) was the best of the women so far. As for the guys, I liked the ones the judges enjoyed -- the welder, Anuup, the teacher who recently lost his wife, and the marching coach guy.

Don't you love that the only name I remembered was Anuup? ;-)

Stay warm!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Madness Returns -- American Idol is Back


Y'know, with the exception of Melinda Doolittle, I've never bought anything from any American Idol contestants. Sure, some of the more successful ones have a load of talent, but often the songs they sing just aren't my cuppa. However, more power to them.

Tonight was the premiere of the eighth season. Yes, it's been that long. A new judge is in the mix. I'm a bit so-so about that although I liked Simon not being able to say the "aaa" sound in Kara (Care-ah). So he calls her Kara (Car-ah). Great. He'd call me "Jockie."

Since we're in the audition phase of the show, it's pretty much what we've seen before -- some horrible singers who think they can sing, some horrible singers who know they're horrible and just want to be on TV, and a gem or two along the way. Oh. We also had a girl who looks hot in a bikini. The jury is still out as to whether she can sing or not.

I tried to look at the show from another perspective tonight. I've decided I'd like to be on it. Um, no ... not really on it, per se. The production, the editing of the scenes, the decisions regarding songs in the background to enhance the happenings. The cheese.

Let me explain. This show not only has a built-in traffic maker with the teenage crowd looking for new teenybopper stars. But it's also very slick, well-produced, cleverly edited, and it's cheesy while doing all that stuff! I've always been a fan of cheese (not the dairy product so much, mind you). I enjoyed the days when Jeff Probst (Survivor) would leave the final tribal council on a jet ski, then arrive in NYC on the same one. I liked the old Batman television show. I adored David Letterman in the 80s. Cheese, zaniness, a bit of camp on the side and I'm hooked. American Idol does it all very well.

While I'd never want to be on camera and the world should never be exposed to my singing, I'd love to be behind the scenes on the show. I'd love to be the one to say "this song goes fantastic with this loser" or be the one to edit the reactions of the judges in perfect precision with off-key performances. Make it happen, FOX. No, I've never studied anything in film or production. But the contestants often haven't studied voice either. So ...

Did you watch? Your thoughts on Kara?

Monday, January 12, 2009

Monday, Monday


Baby, it's cold outside. Above I found some rabbit tracks in the snow. Below, it's one of the decorative kale taken this afternoon just before sunset. As always, clicking on the image will open it in a larger window. We had about four inches of snow followed by ice and rain Saturday night into Sunday. Now we're in a deep freeze with the expected high on Thursday to be about 10 degrees.


My Reality Clack column and Cold Case review are both up over at CliqueClack TV. Later tonight, I'll be posting a review of The Big Bang Theory over there, too. I know you all enjoy eating, so I should let you know that we now have a CliqueClack food site!

On television tonight, don't forget it's The Bachelor and we have the perfect meeting spot for you to hang out with your friends during or after the show. Make sure you go to the newest discussion post and, if you spill things, the mop is in the water closet.

Please try to stay warm, folks. Brr! (A cat or dog comes in real handy for added heat!)

Today's musical non sequitur:
Ice ice baby vanilla

Ice ice baby (oh-oh) vanilla
Ice ice baby vanilla
Ice ice baby vanilla ice
Yo man let's get out of here
Word to your mother
-- "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice
I couldn't resist!

Friday, January 09, 2009

TV Shows Continue the Return


Before I talk about TV, just a bit of off topic rambling! I found an ornamental kale not in my patch o' kale I've been photographing. This one is further along in the winter phase and to the point where it's often called snow cabbage. It has lost its color and is closing up like a cabbage. Also, I spotted Roofus the cat today. I was on the train home, but was going a few stops further to run some errands. So I didn't have my camera ready as I caught sight of him in his usual place just before sunset this evening.

Onto television!

I received a screener for the upcoming season premiere of The Closer (TNT) which I'll hopefully get to viewing on Sunday. It's set to air Monday, January 26 at 9 PM ET/PT. So if I don't get to it this week, next week will do. I also received another screener copy from TNT -- Gifted Hands, the Ben Carson Story. That one is a movie based on the life of Dr. Benjamin Carson, a man who became the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Childrens' Center. He also won the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It looks quite interesting. I have more time on that one as it will air on February 7.

Closer to date --
This coming Monday marks a big TV night. 24 returns to FOX in a two-hour premiere starting at 8 PM ET/PT. The CBS regular Monday primetime line-up is all new episodes. The Superstars of Dance (which didn't really rock my socks) is new and two hours starting at 8 PM ET/PT on NBC. Of course, The Bachelor (ABC) is also new as are all the network shows in the 10 PM ET/PT slot, too.

On Tuesday, the madness which is American Idol begins with a two-hour show on FOX starting at 8 PM ET/PT. The Biggest Loser also has its season premiere at the same time on NBC. All of the other network shows are brand-spanking new, too. I see we have back-to-back new Scrubs running head-to-head against The Mentalist.

Wednesday has the entire primetime block on ABC taken up with Lost. However, the season premiere isn't until the following week. On FOX, American Idol has another two-hour show. NBC has crammed an old L&O: SVU in between a new Knight Rider and a new Law and Order. The CBS primetime block is all new episodes of the usual Wednesday night suspects.

On Thursday, CBS starts of with a CSI repeat, but then into new episodes of CSI and Eleventh Hour. NBC has all new Thursday episodes of its regular line-up. FOX has a new Bones, then the season premiere of Kitchen Nightmares. ABC is all new, too! Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice.

I'm still finding Friday a bit disappointing, but will post more on that night later on. And, mind you ... I didn't even go into the cable listings. Perhaps on Friday, I can watch some of the stuff I recorded earlier in the week.

What will you be watching or recording?

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Time to be Lost Soon


Yep, yep! We've gone through our withdrawal and shows are coming back left and right this month. I gave up actually blogging Lost (and Heroes) because they're both too nitpicky and confusing to write up as I watch. I'm also not as enamored with them as I once was. But that's not to say I won't be watching when they're on! I found this little tease preview of Lost for you. The season premiere is Wednesday, January 21 at 8 PM ET/PT.

Monday, January 05, 2009

The Bachelor 2009 Blog Discussion Post


Here it is ... a new bachelor and a new season! The season premiere is January 5, 8 PM - 10 PM (ET/PT). Then it will just run an hour on Monday evenings. If you want to peek in at the official website, it's here.

However, this is your place to hang out with friends and discuss the show! Snacks and beverages welcome, comfy chairs abound.

I'm Baaack! And TV Stuff, Too!


I ended up going off for the weekend rather unexpectedly (nothing bad, mind you). I left a certain cat alone as I was only gone two nights. She decided to pout in an amazon.com box. I thought she'd be better off alone stocked with plenty of food and water rather than be boarded. She's decided she wants to live in a box.


I heard a loud metal CLANG on New Year's night. It was late at night. I peeked out my window to check on the cars in our lot. All looked fine and I couldn't see anything amiss. Uh-oh. This is my neighbor's fence facing the street. The boulders they had in place so people don't park halfway up off the curb were all awry. There are various scattered car parts and a section of metal fence about 8 feet long is in a messed-up heap piled against the still standing section. I have a feeling this is another case of damaged parked cars, too. How do people do this? It's a straight-away with city speed limits.


This is the latest photo of the kale. The patches of snow only exist as this is somewhat shaded by a brick wall doohickey.

Onto television stuff!

The Bachelor returns tonight. I'll be putting up a new discussion post for the show early this evening. I hope to see you there!

Another dance show makes its debut tonight -- Superstars of Dance on NBC. It's running the same two hours as The Bachelor, from 8 to 10 PM ET/PT. I might give it a shot tonight as I'm not into The Bachelor and the shows I do watch on CBS are repeats tonight.

Over on CliqueClack TV, you can find my latest review of Cold Case (plus a lot of other neat articles). Then, if you like spoilers (nothing earth-shattering), I have a post up over on TV Squad with some rather gentle (no winners, etc.) spoilers for the upcoming season of The Amazing Race. It's mostly locations, a few links to pictures taken of a few of the teams as they raced, and a reveal of who one of the teams are.

It's nice to have some new shows to watch after the last few weeks, isn't it? Of course, it won't be long until TAR and Survivor (along with American Idol) take up our lives again! Unfortunately, I have to return to work tomorrow. Boo. Hiss.

Today's musical non sequitur:
Black and orange stray cat sittin' on a fence
Ain't got enough dough to pay the rent
I'm flat broke but I don't care
I strut right by w
ith my tail in the air
I wish I could be as carefree and wild,
but I got cat class and I got cat style.

-- "Stray Cat Strut" by The Stray Cats

Meow.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Privacy Policy

While I personally don't collect any information about the folks who visit or post comments here, I do have some advertising on the blog which collects some information. That information never includes personal information such as name, address, phone, financial information and such.

We're talking cookies here, not hacking stuff. Google Adsense uses a cookie which might gear ads to your posted interests by context. Each Amazon ad has its own privacy link within the ad, so feel free to check them out.

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Posted: April 5, 2009 despite the date on the post. I needed to get the information up and decided to make it "older" by date so it doesn't show amongst the current posts, yet I have a link to post on my sidebar.

It's 2009! Happy New Year!

Jackie's TV Blog, holidays

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone has a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year. I also want to thank everyone for being such a huge part of the community on this blog.

Graphic by Zoetawny