TV Newsy Bits - Tuesday, November 14, 2006

For me, tonight wasn't a huge TV night. I'm a Law and Order fan, so the new episodes of SVU and Criminal Intent were on my watch-list. Both shows lived up to their standard fare of good writing, good acting, and the drama I want. (As if I don't have enough drama in my personal life. Oh, well... it's a different sort of drama, for sure.)

Criminal Intent finally showed Goren's mother, the one with the health and mental problems. I don't believe they've shown her before, or I missed it. Goren's going a bit off the edge once again. I like Vincent D'Onofrio in the role, but I found tonight's performance a bit more odd than usual. Whether it's acting or not, I don't know. He was almost stumbling pigeon-toed, but he was also scruffier than usual and stressed out by his mother. That doesn't explain him getting chubbier, though. At the end, he told them they could fire him if they wanted, he had to get to his mother. I guess we'll know more the next Goren episode - next week is a Chris Noth one.

Oh, one real complaint about the show. They film the show in the NYC area, which I love because I see places I know and have even seen them filming at times. But, dang, get the seasons right. The leaves are never green on the trees on Thanksgiving. Sheesh. The leaves are almost all gone, those which remain are brown or perhaps a bit of color, but that color isn't green!

It'll be coming before you know it! The sixth season of American Idol is set to premiere January 17 and 18. I mentioned in another TV Newsy Bits that Kellie Pickler has picked up a sitcom. The previous contestants have hit the news wires again with stories such as this one - Are ‘American Idol’ finalists quickly forgotten? - American Idol - MSNBC.com. I had wondered what's been going on with Taylor Hicks. I don't need to know what's going on with Justin Guarino. I really don't.

In other TV News Bits:

• Save the cheerleader, save the world! My new favorite must-watch show is getting a lot of press these days. Heroes Links I know I've mentioned it in passing and it's too far into the season to pick up blogging about it regularly, but I feel an article coming on.
• A Message in a Bottle Leads to a Twist This Week on Survivor: Cook Islands - Beware, mild spoilers.
• Mild spoilers for next week's Amazing Race episode.

On The Box Tonight - Monday, November 13, 2006

It's raining here again tonight, so another perfect evening to stay indoors, read a bit and watch television. Yep, it's a snuggly robe and fuzzy slippers kind of night, perhaps a mug of hot chocolate... excellent!

Here are my personal picks for the night and honorable mentions which I may tape or, at the very least, know others will be watching:

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 8 PM ET/PT - Oh, my. It looks like Marshall and Lily are indeed back together. I'll be watching
• Prison Break (FOX) - 8 PM ET/PT - Not my cuppa, but it's a new episode for show fans.
• Deal or No Deal (NBC) - 8 PM ET/PT - New episode, but I still can't understand the popularity of this show. It's not like they're giving me briefcases of money.
• Wife Swap (ABC) - 8 PM/ET - New episode, okay. I've watched on occasion, but...!
• The Class (CBS) - 8:30 PM/ET - I'm not totally enamored with the show, but since I watch the half-hour before, it's on here. I'll most likely be reading with it on in the background.
• Heroes (NBC) - 9 PM ET/PT - My must watch show of the night. Must, must watch. A new episode, naturally. Save the cheerleader; save the world!
• On CBS Two and One Half Men and The New Adventures of Old Christine take the 9 PM ET/PT block. Both are new episodes.
• C.S.I.: Miami - 10 PM ET/PT - New episode, still David Caruso. I'll pass.
• Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC) - 10 PM ET/PT - New episode. I'm just not getting into the show, but know a lot of the blog readers enjoy it.
• What About Brian (ABC) - 10 PM ET/PT - Huh? A new episode? Has this show been in this slot all along? I seem to recall watching it once, then it vanished. Is it a shifted show?
• Murder by the Book - (CourtTV) - My choice for the 10 PM ET/PT hour. Tonight is the James Ellroy episode. It should be interesting.
• And, but of course, don't forget it's the exciting start of Impressionist Week on David Letterman (CBS) at 11:37 PM here. I'm so psyched. Er, actually I enjoy Rich Little and Robin Williams, tonight's guests.

What are you watching?

'The Amazing Race 10' - Ep. 9 -or- "Don't they wear wooden shoes in Finland?"

Five teams remain. Who will be eliminated next?

Yes, that is the question.

Teams had their mandatory rest period at the Madagascar Pit Stop where we last left them. As they arrived first, Dustin and Kandice (Evil Beauty Queens) were the first to leave at 2:56 AM. The Alabama Moms, Lyn and Karlyn, were the last team to leave at 3:55 AM, so we're talking an hour between first and last place. It's still a tight race at this point.

The clue they received directed them to fly to Helsinki, Finland. They had a total of $265 for this leg of the run. But flying to Helsinki isn't as easy as it sounds like it should be. Due to the lack of flights out of Madagascar, the show would arrange for flights to Paris and then the teams would be responsible for making the connecting flights to their destination.

Upon reading the destination, one of the Beauty Queens said, "Don't they wear wooden shoes?" I just looked at my cat and sadly shook my head.

At the airport, it didn't take the teams long to figure out there may be a quicker way to Helsinki. They found out that a flight to Johannesburg could connect them more quickly to Helsinki than the Paris connection, so all teams made a go at it. The 'Bama Moms barely squeaked aboard to the delight of the ChoBros (Erwin and Godwin), but to the chagrin of the Beauty Queens and the Rehabbed Model Boy Toys (Tyler and James).

Once in Helsinki, teams had to locate the Kapeli Restaurant where they'd face the inevitable AOL "You've Got Mail!" clue of the season. This year it wasn't so much of a clue as it was a taste of home -- video messages from family and friends. I know it's all touching and emotional, but didn't I just go through the same ordeal (or similar) on Survivor this week? Sheesh. After they saw the videos, the next clue was given to them by the restaurant manager.

They had to take a train to a school which I couldn't spell if my life depended on it. Shoot me now. Despite varying degrees of manners and lack thereof, all the teams ended up on the same train. Oh, the ChoBros were the polite ones, just in case you couldn't guess. Alabama just cut in front of the queue at the taxi stand and made me cringe once again. I know they're in a race. But they're also Americans in a foreign land. I must say it again. Sheesh.

Once at the school, they followed markers which led them to a Detour, a choice between two tasks the teams must perform to receive the next clue. Detours always have some connection with the local area, its people, or its customs. The choices this time were Swamp This or Swamp That. I guess it must be swampy there, eh? In Swamp This teams had to use cross-country skis to ski through a mile-long mud course. In Swamp That teams had to go through a muddy (sometimes up to their waists) obstacle course. It wasn't too cultural of a challenge, but it did get down and dirty!


Although Rob and Kimberly got lost on the way to the mudbath, they made good time of it and passed by both the ChoBros and 'Bama.

From there, teams had to take a train to Turku, then drive to a limestone mine in Lohra. It was there that the teams faced a Roadblock - a task only one member of the team must complete. This Roadblock, dubbed "A Miner Inconvenience," looked like fun going down, but work returning as they had to ride a motorbike down into the mines, find a limestone hunk, then bring it back uphill (which the bikes couldn't handle and had to be walked), then break open the limestone to reveal their next clue. Tyler/James and Dustin/Kandice were the only teams on the first train heading in, so they got in and out of the mine first. Rob and Kimberly got lost trying to find the mine and the ChoBros actually got a bit nasty in deliberately losing them. Good. Now lose 'Bama, ChoBros.

The Boy Toys and Beauty Queens were off to the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki where the boys found their clue after a bit of searching. Uh-oh. Bad news for those who have a fear of heights. That would include my favorite team, the Chos. Eep. Teams would have to rappel face-first down the tower at the stadium. The Beauty Queens arrived and started making their way up the tower as the Boys went down one at a time.

Back at the mine, Rob was a driven man... driven to get by 'Bama and the Chos, too. He made it by 'Bama and was tailgating the ChoBros. "Get off my ass, Rob. I will slam on my brakes." Go for it ChoBros, then leave 'em in your dust! They get to the stadium and then it happens. No, not a round of fisticuffs between the Chos and Rob, not at all.

"Keep racing. This leg isn't over."

Argh. I know they do this every season. I even figured that it would take place about halfway through tonight's episode as the timing wasn't going right for a Pit Stop. You know when no one has made the Pit Stop within fifteen minutes of the show ending time or was heading to one even before that, chances are there won't be one.

So, it's not until next week that we'll know who was eliminated next.

The Evil Beauty Queens weren't so evil this episode, but I still can't forgive them for not driving the car they smashed up last week and leaving it for another team. What if it had broken down due to the damage they caused and made another team lose the race? That move on their part was totally out of line and beyond just being competitive.

As the field narrows down, I'm still rooting for the Chos and am rather ambivalent about the rest of the teams. Both the Beauty Queens and the Boy Toys are strong teams, but I just don't care so much for them. I admire 'Bama and Rob/Kimberly for doing as well as they are, but neither team thrills me. But, the ChoBros? They rock my world. They just need to get a smidgen meaner. Just for the race, of course.

'The Amazing Race 10' East Coast Update - 11/12

"Keep on racing, this leg isn't over."

Yes, it's the "to be continued" leg. Model Boy Toys are currently leading the pack. A full recap/review of the show will be posted later tonight. Stop on back!

Better Than Big Pants, Coming This Week On Letterman

I must confess. I have to confess.

I love David Letterman.

Oh, no -- not like that woman who kept breaking into his house in the '80s or, more recently, the woman who thought he was sending love messages in code to her. Not like that at all. This is more of a sane sort of love. Or, is it?

I've been a Letterman fan since his early appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and can even boast to watching his rather short-lived morning show circa 1980 or so. Through his NBC Late Night with David Letterman days into the present, he's my late-night fodder. Campy, zany, though oddly intellectual, I've spent my adult life with his show(s) on my must-see list.

Last week's highlights for me were the Jack Hanna segment (always a favorite with me) and Jorge Garcia (Hurley on Lost) reading the Top Ten Signs You're Obsessed With Lost. In particular, I enjoyed Number 10: "After each episode, you do an all-kitty reenactment in your basement." I have to admit that my two cats balked at playing all the characters and wanted to hold out for more money per episode.

The week ahead boasts Mr. Letterman's second rather unusual week-long programming event for the season. Earlier, it was Ventriloquist Week. This time we'll see Impressionists Week. Yep, you've got it! I'm not sure if it will match the excitement of the ventriloquists, but it'll be neat to see Rich Little once again. I didn't know he was still around.

Here are the guests scheduled for this week on the Late Show with David Letterman:

• Monday, Nov. 13: Robin Williams, Impressionist Rich Little, George Jones
• Tuesday, Nov. 14: Jack Black (promoting the new movie Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny which I misheard a while back as the "Pig of Destiny." I like it that way, don't you?), Impressionist Fred Travalena, Tenacious D
• Wednesday, Nov. 15: Christopher Guest, Impressionist Gordie Brown, +44
• Thursday, Nov. 16: Ellen DeGeneres, Impressionist Frank Caliendo, The Game
• Friday, Nov. 17: Senator John Edwards, Impressionist Kevin Pollak, Will Arnett

Okay, ventriloquists and impressionists... what's next? Tap dancers? Magicians? I don't know, but I'm sure to be watching. As for Leno, I watch or tape him when he has the Blue Man Group on. Dave should do more Blue Man Group.

TV Newsy Bits - Sunday, November 12, 2006

Ah, Sunday. For me, it's "Race, Case, and Trace" night. You know I'll be posting an East Coast update on the Pit Stop arrival order and a full review/recap of tonight's Amazing Race episode. But, that's hours away and it's a rainy day here. So, what's that mean? Well, other than a leisurely bubble-bath and hot chocolate kind of day, it's a perfect day for writing and watching television.

I shouldn't have stayed up until 3 AM watching Clerks on Comedy Central, but I did. You only live once and all that, y'know. Somehow, I had missed that movie when it was out and about in the theaters and video stores. When I saw it was on, I had to watch it. I can see why it brought Kevin Smith to the attention of the world at large and, to be honest, I liked it more than some of his more recent works since he hit the big time.

Tomorrow night Court TV's new series Murder By the Book premieres. I've been a mystery novels buff for years (and have even failed at writing my own really bad mystery novels), so this series intrigues me. This is a five-week series featuring mystery novel writers investigating a real-life case which holds a special interest to them. In the first show, it's author James Ellroy looking into the murder of his own mother. If you're an Ellroy fan like I am, you're aware that his mother's 1958 murder remains unsolved and that the case has always been a part of his own life as he pens his books. Other authors in the series include Michael Connelly, Faye Kellerman, Jonathan Kellerman, and Lisa Scottoline. The only author out of that group I haven't read is the last one. The series airs on Court TV Mondays at 10 PM ET/PT. I'll be watching.

In other news, Studio 60 fans will be happy to hear that that I read an AOL Television article which announced that nine new episodes of the show have been ordered despite iffy ratings. I'm still not getting into the show, but know several blog readers who enjoy it, so crack open the champagne!

David and Mary Conley of 'The Amazing Race 10'

The link I gave to a local article about David and Mary is already off and doesn't seem to be archived. Yikes! That was quick. It was only online for a day.

So, for those interested, here are some more articles:

• Lexington Herald-Leader 11/08/2006 Out of race, in the money
• 'Race' couple Dave and Mary Conley given new car, home, and more - Reality TV World - News, information, episode summaries, m...
• PRESS RELEASE Champion Enterprises Donates Modular Home to "Amazing Race" Contestants Dave and Mary Conley
• Interviews & Features - From Amazing Race to The View: Team Kentucky Recalls Their Wild Ride TVGuide.com

TV Newsy Bits - Friday, November 10, 2006

It's Friday night, Meerkat Manor night!

On tonight's episode, nature probably made the best decision, but it's still sort of sad. Hopefully Mozart will be accepted at home once again. I'd say mean nasty Commandos, but I think the Whiskers probably are just as ruthless. After all, it's not an easy life for any meerkat. On the other hand, I have two merely cats and they live the good life.

In other TV Newsy Bits:

• Brad Virata, the most recent Survivor castoff, was interviewed by Reality News Online. In the interview he refers to his horrible fantastic experience. It's an interesting read.
• RNO also has a transcript of Brad's The Early Show appearance.
• A Kentucky online newspaper has a nice write-up about David and Mary, Team Kentucky from The Amazing Race.
• American Idol's Kellie Pickler Gets Sitcom - Why am I not surprised? After all, she's a little minx, y'know.

Always remember, man is not more powerful than a locomotive.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - Ep. 8 -or- "Double Mutiny and Early Jury"

Twelve are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

Finally, a bit of excitement! Not one, but two new twists happening before show's end promise to kick the rather lackluster season into gear. Remember, this season was touted as oh-so-controversial. Since the racially separated tribes merged into two mixed tribes, the show has been okay, but that's about it.

Tonight's show opened looking in on the Aitu tribe on Day 19. Jonathan was campaigning against Ozzy once again. I personally think that Jonathan keeps focusing on Ozzy to keep the target off of himself. Either that or he's delusional about all the trust he thinks others have in him. Yul kept nodding, as did Candice, but neither trust Jonathan. But on and on he goes about voting Ozzy out before the game becomes an individual one instead of competing tribes. From one week to the next, he wants Ozzy gone much like sand through the hourglass or something equally monotonous.

Jonathan also told Candice that he wants to team up with her, Adam, and Parvati for the Final Four, the four remaining members of the Caucasian tribe. She's not too keen on that. Heck, she doesn't trust him.

Over at the Raro tribe, they're pretty confident. After all, the tribes are six members each and they're surely the stronger tribe. Or, so they believe. Ah, but there's dissension in the ranks. Brad, already on the hot seat with his tribe mates over choosing to do the puzzle instead of swim last week, claimed it's "every man for himself." Nate, the bandwagon leader of the anti-Brad party, took immediate offense. "Hey! We're a team!" Fo-shizzle wit dat bizzle.

And then, the first twist of the night happened as the tribes gathered for the Rewards Challenge. Jeff Probst announced that anyone who wants to mutiny to the other tribe can do so. He gave them ten seconds to decide. Candice, not unexpectedly, stepped forward. Then, with a second to spare, Jonathan joined her. So now Aitu has four members (Yul, Ozzy, Becky, and Jenny). The other eight are all on Raro.

The Reward Challenge was fun to watch, but I don't think I'd want to be rolled and jostled in a barrel. Only four members could compete, two women and two men. The women were rolled through a course while in a barrel; buoys had to be gathered; there were barrels floating in the lagoon, flags, axes, you name it. I'd say more fun than a barrel of monkeys, for sure!

In the end, the Tribe o' Four kicked butt against their competitors. Yes, Aitu won. They sent Candice to Exile Island without even skipping a beat. Aitu won a leisurely time in fluffy white robes quaffing coffee and orange juice, eating muffins and danishes, all while reading letters and seeing pictures from home. It was definitely a bonding session and certainly made them feel stronger and more like a team. They decided they will go to the Final Four.

Alone in his newly-chosen tribe, Jonathan tried to work his way in. He talked, and talked. Then he talked some more. Then he gathered coconuts, built fire, and went fishing. He took Adam aside and told him how tight he was with Candice, and all about the Final Four plans. Adam listened. Nate bristled. "He must be smokin' some good stuff if he thinks he can just walk in here. He sold out his own tribe. He thinks we're that dumb?" Well, at least it got his mind off campaigning against Brad for a while.

The Immunity Challenge had four tribe members from each tribe (well, Aitu only has four members) row out in a glass-bottomed boat which had a target design and a hole in its bottom. Don't ask me why the boats didn't take on water, it was a fancy hole. They had cannonballs and had to locate underwater targets, then nail them to release buoys. Finally, a challenge which is fresh and new. Or, so it was until the end which was yet another puzzle.

Over in Raro boat, it looked like Jonathan was lousing up left and right, getting more frustrated as time went on. As Jeff gave his inevitable play-by-play, Jonathan muttered, "Oh, please." So, of course, Jeff included that in his play-by-play. "Jonathan is getting frustrated with me." Aitu won Immunity, strengthening their bond even more.

Raro, needless to say, was bummed out. Candice told both Parvati and Adam here true feelings about Jonathan - she didn't trust him. Nate was on the anti-Jonathan wagon, too. "We gonna cradle a traitor?" But, then, as they discussed things, they seemed to be leaning more towards the idea that they could string Jonathan along and that Brad was more of a threat in the long run. Nate said he'd lead Brad to think the plan was still one to vote off Jonathan.

And, so it went down. At Tribal Council, answering Jeff's questions, Brad admitted he didn't trust everyone on the tribe. That's all they needed if their minds weren't made up already. Brad was unanimously voted out with the exception of his own vote for Jonathan. He took it well.

And, then there was the other twist. Brad became the first member of the jury. Not only is that early for the jury, but it will make for a jury of ten members. That, but of course, could lead to a tie situation at the finale. Interesting, huh?

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update 11/09 - Castoff

Voted out and first member of the jury (you heard me - early jury) is Brad. The vote was unanimous except for Brad's own vote (Jonathan).

A full review/recap will be posted later tonight.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update 11/09 - Immunity

Aitu won Immunity.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update 11/09 - Mutiny and Reward

Candice, then Jonathan, mutinied and joined Raro.

Reward was coffee, danishes, muffins and letters from home.

Aitu won Immunity and immediately sent Candice to Exile Island.

TV Commercials: Ding, Dong, the Mac Guy's Gone

It's official, the Mac is history.

"I'm a PC."
"I'm a Mac."
"Not anymore, you're not."

Justin Long, the actor who plays the Mac in Apple's latest rather mean-spirited series of commercials, is no longer doing the ads.

It seems public opinion, along with his movie acting career, dictated the changes. Long, known for his role on television's Ed a few years back, as well as roles in movies such as Dodgeball and Herbie: Fully Loaded apparently was just a bit too much of a Mac in the biased ads and the audience sympathized with the PC, played by John Hodgman.

Although the ad spots caught my attention, as a PC user I was a bit offended. I'm a creative sort into photography, photo-editing and more. The series of commercials brought back all the snobbiness, smugness, and self-appointed superiority I've seen in Mac/PC debates for well over a decade. I kind of wanted the PC to just cuff the Mac atop the head and send him for a timeout.

An article from Fresh Intelligence: Radar Online about the commercials ending was even a bit more strident about it. They claimed the audience wanted to push the Mac under a bus. Well, yeah. I could see that, too. The article quotes an ad critic from Slate as saying, "[Long is] just the sort of unshaven, hoodie-wearing, hands-in-pockets hipster we've always imagined when picturing a Mac enthusiast. It's like Apple is parodying its own image while also cementing it."

Hodgman, the PC, and the director of the spots, Phil Morrison, will be back to do a new series of commercials for Apple. While this has been confirmed, no details regarding content for the ads have been released.

I'm a PC. And, if I were a Mac, I wouldn't slump in a hoodie with a five-o'clock shadow that probably took two weeks to grow.

TV Newsy Bits - Thursday, November 9, 2006

It's Survivor night! As usual, I'll post East Coast Updates for the big happenings as they air here in the NYC area. Those events usually include Reward, Immunity and the boot. Judging from the promos they've been showing, there is another event happening on the show tonight, too. If that isn't in conjunction with the events mentioned above, I'll let the West Coast folks know that East Coast spoiler in a separate update. Late tonight a full review/recap will be posted.

It's also C.S.I. night for me. Another minature crime scene has been featured in their promos. I hope that the case involved threads through the season and we see even more.

In other television happenings:

• My friends over at BuddyTV.com have an Exclusive Interview: Hank Steinberg, Creator of The Nine up and posted.
• K-Fed's Money Ploy - TMZ.com - What? He wants her money? I'm so shocked, aren't you?
• Residents to Plan to Secure The Borders Next Week on "Jericho" - Well, duh. They should have done it long ago.
• "Heroes" Star Jack Coleman Discusses His Role on the Show - It's the Horn-Rimmed Eyeglasses Guy! No real spoilers, he doesn't admit to being either good or bad, but says he can be creepy. I knew that.

'Lost' - "I Do"

This was it, the last Lost until February 7. I know I'll appreciate the lack of reruns through the spring, but it feels like we barely got a taste of the series this fall. Six episodes ain't nuthin', Freckles.

Tonight's episode, "I Do," had its interesting points and moved a few things forward, but there were no grand surprises overall. Well, there was the Jack Finally Wised Up bit, but that wasn't until near the end of the show.


The flashback sequences were all about Kate this week, Kate and her husband. Or, Monica and her husband, as she had an alias. Who knows? Maybe she's not Kate, either. The island scenes mainly featured those captured by the Others - Jack, Kate, and Sawyer. We saw a bit of Eko's funeral, but mostly the captives.

The Kate Flashback Sequences
The opening had Kate in a hotel room as her soon-to-be groom, a Miami-Dade cop named Kevin, visited. Oh, there was the wedding, kiss scenes, and all was rosy-keen with the bride and groom. Until Kate's background caught up with her. Well, perhaps it was more the fear of her background being exposed and caring about her love.

She panicked. She called the U.S. Marshals to see if they would leave her be, but the vibes weren't right, not at all. What to do? What to do? Hey, let's drug the cop-husband and confess once he wants her to get a passport for an Oceanic flight to Costa Rica! So, she did it. She told him that she wouldn't want his career ruined, that she was being sought after for blowing up her father and she hit the rowdy road. And, she told him her name wasn't Monica.

See. That's what happens when you marry too soon. You marry a fugitive, silly cop boy. I rank this backstory flashback an "eh." Big deal, what's happening on the island?

On the Island, Requiem for Eko
Locke, Sayid, Paulo (who still just mysteriously appeared and doesn't do or say much for all the hooplah about him joining the cast), and Desmond were still with the very dead Mr. Eko. Locke, claiming that the survivors have seen enough death, decided they should bury him without bringing him back to the campsite.

When asked, Locke said Eko died for a reason, but he doesn't know what that reason is. But, heck, there's a reason. He also claimed that the monster killed Eko, but didn't know what or whom the monster is. Okay, that's perhaps too much knowledge to take in all at once, eh?

The most vital incident during the funeral was as Locke was giving his eulogy. He started talking about Eko's Jesus Stick, then saw words carved into it: "Locke, lift your eyes and look north." (Insert Lost thump noise here.)

On the Island of the Others
Okay, I'm warming to the thought that there may be two islands. I'm not totally convinced, but there was another clue pointing to that tonight.

In the dolphin tank, Jack told Ben and Juliet how critical Ben's need for surgery really is. After giving him the terror talk that indicated not long to live at all, he refused to do the surgery which could save Ben's life. He said he wanted him to understand how he's going to die, but he wouldn't help save him. Ben told him he was disappointed in his decision. Jack told him he wouldn't have to be disappointed long.

Over at the bear cages where Sawyer and Kate were being held captive, Danny and his Thugs were about to take Kate off to work breaking rocks (saying that Sawyer had the day off) when alarms sounded. "Compound Breached!" It was Alex (Rousseau's daughter) with a trusty slingshot. She warned Kate that they would kill her boyfriend just as her own was killed.

Alex was easily captured as a slingshot is never a great match for guns. Danny threw a hood over Kate's head and, next we knew, she was in the dolphin tank talking to Jack through the plexiglass. The Others told her to tell him they'd kill Sawyer if she couldn't convince Jack to perform Ben's spinal surgery. No go, Jack refuses Kate's pleading. "We're done here." Uh-oh, Sawyer!

Ben was monitoring it all in the room with all the closed-circuit monitors.


Back at the bear cages, Danny and Thugs were pushing around Sawyer, furious that Jack had refused to do the surgery. Once they departed, Kate told Sawyer about seeing Jack and Ben's need for surgery. She crawled out of her cage and broke the lock to his, telling him to escape. But he refused to go. He told her they were on a separate island and there was no escape. Then they had hot giant polar bear sex... or perhaps a human equivalent of such.

In the dolphin cage, a sleeping Jack was awakened by the mysterious intercom. It told him (Juliet's voice?) to check the door. Oh, by gosh and golly, it was unlocked. Set up alert! He found the monitor room and, gee willikers, there was a feed to Kate and Sawyer snuggling in the bear cage. Jack also found guns. And he held one to Ben when Ben entered the room.

He told Ben he'd do the surgery tomorrow, but Ben had to keep his promise - he'd get off the island. He had to leave the island. Ben, of course, assured him he'd keep the promise. Yeah, right. Trust Ben? I think not!

Pre-surgery, Ben asked Juliet if Alex asked about him. She told him that he had taken her home. Ben told Jack, "Whatever happens, things will be very different." And, they certainly were as Jack finally had a trick up his sleeve.

He purposely nicked Ben's kidney sac and then created sort of a medical hostage. Over at the bear cages where Danny and Thugs were about to off Sawyer in front of Kate in retaliation for Danny's girl Colleen's death, the walkie-talkies burst to life. They had an hour to make their escape as Jack had an hour to fix the damage he did to Ben.

Jack told Kate that in an hour, she'd have to call him on the walkie-talkie and relate the first story he told her as she stitched him up on the beach. If not, Ben would die.

Here are the points to ponder for this week:

• Why I'm thinking there could very well be two islands: I think the clue on the Jesus stick telling Locke to look north may lead to the sighting of an island. Plus, Danny wondered how Alex got "over here." Something about the way he said it indicated two islands. The same sort of indication when Juliet mentioned taking Alex home.
• I have a "much ado about nothing" feeling from the Kate flashbacks. Only if that cop emerges on the island in some capacity or the necklace she wore comes into play somehow will this bit be critical at all.
• Whether Juliet will sabotage the surgery or Jack will on the down-low is moot now. I have a feeling Jack won't kill Ben, but that's only my guess.
• My memory of the story Jack's seeking from Kate is a bit fuzzy. I recall it was something about fear. "Do you know what real fear is?" He then told her of botching an operation on a teenaged girl, sort of similar to his nicking of Ben's kidney sac. The significance? I'm not sure.
• No smoke monsters this week, but a focus on both Eko's cross necklace and the one Kate (as Monica) wore.

I guess we wait until February. I don't know if I'll be interested enough in the new show they'll be airing in the time slot to watch for sneak peeks.

What Do The 'Amazing Race' Contestants Win?

In a recent comment, someone (you know who you are, Anon!) asked if the contestants on The Amazing Race who aren't the final team win anything.

Well, it's obvious that David and Mary won a lot from their appearance on The View, but that's not the norm for contestants. They seemed to just strike a chord with the folks on that show and reaped the benefits.

Of course, the true reward for being on The Amazing Race may be just the whole amazing whirlwind adrenalin trip. Contestants receive prizes for placing first, but do the others receive money?

Yes, but it's certainly not a get rich quick scheme. Not at all. The winners do welll with the million, but it goes drastically downhill from that point. I can't vouch that these figures are truly accurate, but here's the breakdown I found at answers.com:

1. $1,000,000
2. $25,000
3. $10,000
4. $7,000
5. $6,000
6. $5,000
7. $4,000
8. $3,500
9. $3,000

The lowest figure is probably more than a few would make at their day jobs for thirty days time. But, of course, the experience of being a contestant on the show is indeed priceless.

Tonight On The Box

Tonight, tonight, isn't like any other night...!

For starters, tonight is the last new Lost episode for the "fall season." Ah, yes, that seems to be something new out there in Television Land. A short taste of the series for the fall, then the rest starting in the winter running through into late spring. From what I've read, it seems to be formatted that way this season due to complaints about all the blocks of repeats during the actual season last year. I'm not sure which format bugs me more. With Lost, there's so much going on that a two or three month hiatus and my increasingly lost memory may make me forget what has happened before on the show. It will return February 7. I guess we'll see, and I most certainly will be watching tonight's episode and blogging it, too! ABC - 9 PM ET/PT

Before Lost, I'll be in Jericho. I've grown a bit iffy on this one, but continue to follow it. No, I haven't been blogging so much about it, but there are only so many shows I can cover in-depth before my head explodes. Or something. As we learn more about the background of some of the characters, I have to know what role they'll take on as the world of an isolated nuclear survivor town goes on. CBS - 8 PM ET/PT

Competing in that 8 PM time slot are Bones (FOX) - a show I enjoy but will really have to pick up in the reruns this season; The Biggest Loser (NBC) - a show I've never watched yet know a lot of folks really love it, and Dancing With The Stars (ABC) - a show I've caught now and then, but all I can really say is that I was relieved when Jerry Springer finally was voted off. I should note that The Biggest Loser is a two-hour episode tonight. (Thus noted!)

Up against Lost (though I'm a hands-down Lost watcher) is Criminal Minds on CBS. That's another one I really have to try to get into during reruns. I know I should like it, but I've only seen it once and it didn't jump out and grab me. The new season of The O.C. (FOX) also starts. Now, I don't watch that one at all.

At 10 PM ET/PT, the major networks have C.S.I.: NY (CBS), Dateline NBC, and The Nine (ABC). The Nine has lost me as I've become lackadaisical about watching it the past few weeks. I was excited when it first started, but the series took a nose-dive for me by the second episode. I actually enjoy many of the Dateline segments (I can be a newsy-hound at times), but I'll probably go with C.S.I.: NY for my hour.

In late night viewing, tonight is a new Letterman complete with Dustin Hoffman. Woohoo! I'll be watching while wearing my fuzzy bunny slippers and robe.

Um.

Maybe that was too much information.

What will you be watching tonight? Remember when Wednesdays didn't offer us such a great array of shows?

TV Newsy Bits - Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Well, tonight's a good night for the more political-leaning readers of the blog. But, not so much for me. Letterman is scheduled way late here and it's a rerun. Nothing really struck me tonight. I watched Law and Order: Criminal Intent, but kept getting distracted, so don't ask me what happened. Right now I have an rerun on Law and Order: SVU on the USA network on in the background.

Several blog readers mentioned today's The View with the appearance of David and Mary, the most recent team to be Philiminated on The Amazing Race. I was at work, so I missed it. But, thank you for filling me in! I found the show's official recap mention of it on the official website. I'm happy for the couple - if anyone could use a hand up, they can. I think the show has probably really changed their lives for the better.

The other day I wrote an article exclusive to Blogcritics about AOL's Gold Rush and its final rounds this week on Entertainment Tonight. I really had high hopes that one of the blog readers would have made it. It's not the same as if I were to win a chunk of money, I'd still get warm fuzzies. Maybe next time, eh?

Another article I wrote for there and didn't post here (because I really had no interest in the show - it was against Lost and Criminal Minds and one of those would snag me before yet another quiz show) was about The Rich List. Oops! Yanked from the schedule and even the FOX website after one episode as if it never existed!

By the way, the reason the articles were written for there was because they asked for them. I'm not really hiding stuff. If I write something specifically for them, I can post it here a few days later or link it, as I just did.

Welp, that's about it for tonight.

Did you watch anything interesting besides election coverage?

TV Newsy Bits - Monday, November 6, 2006

Ah, another good episode of Heroes tonight. Now Micah is turning into one of them, too. The teaser for next week was about whether the Horn-Rimmed Glasses Guy was good or evil. I've been thinking evil, but since they mentioned it, I'll change my vote to good.

If I were to have a superpower, I'd go for flying. I have no need to be the Incredible Hulk or certainly not the Beast. But, flying? Well, that would beat NJ traffic and be a heck of a lot cheaper, too!

In other television news:

• Yahoo! Top Stories - Virtual "Big Brother" to be launched in Second Life - Um, call me dense, but I'm just not getting this, not at all. Is it like Big Brother gone Sims? Help.
• Next Week's Amazing Race - Mild Spoilers
• Why Race outpaces reality - I really liked this article about how The Amazing Race is different from other reality television shows. I think you'll enjoy it.
• FOX Announces American Idol Season 6 Premiere January 17th - Last year had a different group of competitors, to put it mildly. I wonder what we're in for this season?

I watched How I Met Your Mother tonight, too. Oh, he's gay. He admits it. So what? It was a cute episode. I loved the name bit with Barney and I like the show more when Lily and Marshall are together. Are you watching?

Remember - 'The Bachelor' and 'Nip/Tuck' <-- join the discussion!

'The Amazing Race 10' - Ep. 8 -or- "Cow's Lips, They're Not Just For Breakfast Anymore"

Six teams remain. Who will be eliminated next?

In last week's non-elimination leg, David and Mary were once again saved, but marked for elimination. They must finish in first place tonight or suffer a 30-minute penalty which could very well cost them the game.

So, how did it all pan out?

The teams left Mauritius, the site of the seventh Pit Stop in the game, twelve hours after they arrived. Dustin and Kandice (Evil Beauty Queens) left first at 3:00 AM and the last team, David and Mary (Kentucky), departed at 4:08 AM. So, we're talking about a bit over an hour between first and last. That's not a huge time gap at all.

Having crashed their own car, the Evil Beauty Queens appropriated one of the cars belonging to another team. Their car was indeed drivable, but they apparently just didn't want to drive it. In the end, the ChoBros (Edwin and Godwin) ended up taking the damaged car.

The Six-Pack alliance between the ChoBros, Kentucky, and Alabama (Lyn and Karlyn) took an early hit when Alabama separated from the group heading for the airport. The ChoBros remained loyal to Kentucky, waiting for them and then leading the way. Of course, Kentucky is always loyal to their friends, but they're better for moral support than they are for leading the way.

The clue instructed them to drive to the airport where they would board a flight to Antanarivo, the capital city of Madagascar. Once there, they would have to find a statue entitled the Black Angel. Oh, there's a hitch. It was recently painted white. But the teams don't know that. All of the teams ended up on the same flight, so even the hour betwixt first and last no longer mattered.

Once on the ground, the teams all rushed about looking for a statue in a lake of a black angel. Too bad it's not black. I got a few smiles when Mary was so excited about being in Madagascar - "I've only seen the cartoon. I never thought I'd be here!" And, Lyn (Alabama) didn't know why they even had to look for a black angel - "I'm right here. Look no more!" On the other hand, Rob and Kimberly went on about exhaust fumes ruining the minds of the locals. Okay, if they say so. Have they never been to NYC or Los Angeles?

It took a while, but the teams finally figured out that the Black Angel was the white statue in a lake they kept passing by. Once there, we found out another new twist to the game. This is in addition to the surprise elimination of Bilal and Sa'eed and the changes for non-Philimination legs. It's an Intersection. What it means is that two teams must work together to perform the next clue's task. In the clue, there was also a Fast Forward.

Tyler/James (Rehabbed BoyToys) and Rob/Kimberly (Bickering Couple) were the first two teams at the clue and they jumped on the Fast Forward. If they successfully complete the FF quickly, they can go directly to the next Pit Stop, so I don't blame them. They also mentioned that they didn't really trust the Beauty Queens.

When the Evil Beauty Queens came along and realized that their "friends" had teamed up and left them behind they were miffed. They begged the ChoBros to team up with them as the Six-Pack Alliance arrived. And, so it was to be... Evil and the Shining Light of All that is Good and Kind, teamed together on a Detour.

Although Mary really wanted to give the Fast Forward a shot, no one knew how long ago the first team of four had been at the clue. It was a given that the first group would probably go for it as the numbers are dwindling and this would be the final Fast Forward in the race. So, the remaining teams headed to a Detour.

A Detour is choice between two tasks relating to local culture or practices. This Detour had the teams choosing between Long Sleep or Short Letter. In Long Sleep, teams had to cover, then deliver eight mattresses on foot through the city streets. In Short Letter, they would have to produce and decorate 28 ornate sheets of paper following a particular design. No one chose the latter.

As the teams struggled with unwieldy mattresses on busy streets and through narrow alleys, what were the FF bunch doing? Well, they had to eat a local delicacy. Cow lips. You heard me. I'm talking cow's lips with some hair and teeth for even extra fiber and texture! At least they looked fried and they had plenty of water to wash them down. The task turned stomachs and turned it into one of the slowest Fast Forwards ever seen on the show.

As they gagged their way through their unexpected gastronomical goody, the mattress-haulers had two different approaches to the task. The ChoBros/Evil Beauty Queens broke down the load to four each team of two and helped each other. Kentucky and Alabama tied all eight mattresses together with the straps from their fanny packs and tried to lug them all at once.

Once the mattresses were delivered, the Intersected Teams could once again split up. Dustin/Kandice made quick work of snagging a cab and getting ahead of the ChoBros. Kentucky and Alabama were desperately trying to keep their stacked mattresses moving towards the delivery point, but neither the mattresses nor the local street traffic was cooperating.

Oh. And the cow lip eaters were still eating and gagging. But they were so cocky about getting that Fast Forward, boasting how far ahead of the other teams they were and how they could take their time. Little did they know, a few teams were really making time.

Dustin/Kandice hit the next clue first. It was a Roadblock, a task only one member of a team can complete. This one wasn't all that physical unless running around like madmen looking for rubber stamps of a boat, plane, train, and car qualifies as physical. In a crowded marketplace, it was more exasperating than anything else.

The non-participating team members in the Roadblock waited for their partners right at the Pit Stop with Phil. The Evil Beauty Queens finished the task first and even beat the Fast Forward crowd to the Pit Stop. Then the FF group finally made their way to sneak on in before my favorites, the ChoBros.

The Pit Stop arrival in Madagascar was:

1. The Evil Beauty Queens, Dustin and Kandice - They also won a trip to Hawaii for placing first in the leg.
2. Tyler and James
3. Rob and Kimberly
4. Erwin and Godwin Cho
5. David and Mary - However, they had to wait out their 30-minute penalty as they were marked for elimination.
6. Lyn and Karlyn - Knocked David and Mary out of the race ten minutes into the penalty.

So, David and Mary, saved twice, couldn't be saved thrice. They took it well and Alabama cried over their departure. I knew this team couldn't make it to the end, but it was refreshing to see a team approach strange lands with the joy and thrill they showed throughout the race. They argued and yelled at each other, but I could tell they're a perfect match for each other. They had the time of their life and did their family proud.

Okay, I've switched my least-favorite team. Instead of the previous Rob/Kimberly, I now want Dustin and Kandice gone next. They're sneaky and they're strong - this is the second week in a row they've placed first in a leg. It's time for them to stumble and fall. Oh, perhaps not literally, but fall from the ranks of the racers.

Make it happen.