Tuesday, November 20, 2007

TV Newsy Bits - Tuesday, November 20, 2007


The weather here has been cold, wet, gloomy, rainy and even a bit snowy. I haven't seen Roofus the cat since Saturday, but the roof isn't a good place during this kind of weather. I'm sure he's taken refuge, most likely in that condemned building. This photo is the side of an old warehouse or factory. I guess it's Lugo's parking spot, but I call it the Lugo building.

Here are today's TV Newsy Bits:
  • Frank TV, the new late night show on TBS makes its debut tonight at 11 PM ET/PT in most viewing areas. Frank is impressionist Frank Caliendo and he's definitely got the "skillz." I watched my screener and was pleasantly surprised at how many impressions he can actually do. His George W. Bush is just about perfect. With the late night shows in repeats due to the writers strike, it's the perfect time to give this show a shot -- every Tuesday at 11, be there or be square.
  • I want to thank commenter Joy for her excellent recap of The Bachelor for other blog readers (in the discussion post for the show). And, yes ... that's how I do it. I sit and take notes.
  • Donald Trump's new Celebrity Apprentice will premiere on January 3rd. The last season was so unpopular, I guess he had to turn to a list of Z list celebs. I don't know many of these people -- Omarosa (made famous for being on The Apprentice, say what?), Marilu Henner (okay, I remember her from Taxi with Tony Danza a few decades ago), Carol Alt, softball player Jennie Finch, Piers Morgan (judge from America's Got Talent), Gene Simmons from Kiss, Vincent Pastore (Sopranos), Stephen Baldwin, Nely Galan (ex-president of Telemundo television network), Trace Adkins (country music star), Nadia Comaneci (Olympics star), Tiffany Fallon (Playboy's Playmate of the Year), boxer Lennox Louis, and ultimate fighting champion Tito Ortiz. Um. Okay.
  • I wrote a TV Squad feature on my seven favorite cop shows. If you click on my name from there, it brings up all the entries I've made. I've been doing some real exciting ones such as CBS news staffers authorize a strike in addition to reviews and features.
Today's music non-sequitur:
Well, did he ever return?

No, he never returned and his fate is still unlearned.
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston.
He's the man who never returned.
-- M.T.A. - as sung by The Kingston Trio

Monday, November 19, 2007

'Heroes' - "Cautionary Tales"

Well. Now, this was an episode, wasn't it? Oh, not that I understood exactly everything which went down tonight, but ... wow. Without further ado, here's the skinny as I know it:

The Bennets in CA
HRG decided they have to move, run,
hide ... whatever. Claire has decided that he's a liar because he abducted West. She told him she hates him. She refused to leave with the family until Mom Bennet (Butler) stepped in.

Claire tried to apologize to West by writing SORRY with rocks on the ground below his regular flight route. He met her there, but isn't sure whether she lied to him and was in on some sinister plot to get him or what. "Spy girl, the jig is up." (Maybe the writers shouldn't return with lines like that!)

M
eanwhile, at home HRG told his wife that he did indeed abduct West at the age of 12 -- to save the world, of course. He realized that West is probably the only one who can find Claire. So he puts in a call to Mohinder Suresh to use Molly to find him, then goes out the door ... only to be swooped up by a flying West.

Upon landing, they wrestle. HRG admits to West that Claire knew nothing and since she lied to him about West, she obviously cared for him (West). HRG decided he'd force West to tell Claire to leave with them for her own safety.

Then his cell phone rang ...

Mohinder, Elle, and Bob to CA
Bob convinced Mohinder (where is his mind) Suresh that they needed Claire's blood to save Nikki ... and that they had to take HRG out. Uh-oh. Mohinder was reluctant, but Bob gave him a new hitwoman partner -- Elle, his daughter. Like with Peter, Elle was all over Mohinder. "He's adorable, can I keep him?" Blech.
Mohinder demanded they try it his way first with no violence.

Oh, back to the phone ringing ... it was Mohinder calling supposedly from NYC saying Molly located
West. Now, HRG was with West, so he knew something was up.

As this was happening, Bob was at the school posing as a school board official. He interviewed Claire about the drunken cheerleader, then kidnapped her.

Oh, but the tables were turned once again! HRG teamed up with West. It turns out HRG and Elle know each other well. While HRG was talking to Mohinder accusing him of "going native" and being indoctrinated by the Company, Elle started towards him. Wham! West flew smack into her, then HRG shot her in the arm and took her captive.

Daughter for daughter trade was on. First, Bob took some of Claire's blood. I'll finish the rest of that story at the end. Let's go to ...

Matt Parkman, Molly, Mrs. Petrelli in NYC
Matt has discovered how to use his powers to read minds to actually instill thoughts in them. First he experimented with Molly -- making her eat her cereal. Then he did it with his sergeant -- giving him another talk with Angela Petrelli.

Then he used it on Mrs. Angela Petrelli herself despite her knowing about the
power and trying to resist. Matt wanted to know who killed Kaito Nakamura -- she told him it was Adam. She said he did it for revenge for being held for thirty years. She also said that as the power to regenerate and heal is used, the aging process stops. Adam is 400 years old.

Matt also wanted to know who the woman in the group photo was, but she refused to tell him. Her nose started to bleed and she said she had to keep that one secret because she had promised her. "If you force me, you're not like your father. You ARE your father." The post it note he had on the photo read Victoria Pratt for her name.

Hiro, Ando, and Kaito Nakamura
Hiro cannot accept his father's death. Ando told him he can't change it. So Hiro teleports himself to the roof of the DeVeaux Building just before it happened. He teleported himself and his father 17 years back to his mother's funeral, meeting up once again with his younger self.

His father, Lt. Sulu, er ... Kaito, is proud of him. But when Hiro told him that he was going to die, his father said it couldn't be changed. Hiro, after sentimental funeral for Mom stuff, teleports them both back to NYC.

Once back on the roof, he witnessed the discussion between Kaito and Mrs. Petrelli, then as the hoodie-wearing killer attacked, Hiro stopped time. He told a frozen in place Ando that he couldn't change the future, but he can see who killed his father. He lifted the hoodie ... Takezo Kensei, AKA Adam. "I never thought it would be you."

Then there was a rather extended bit about him refusing to say eulogy at his father's funeral as when he followed his lessons he still lived, yada-yada-yada. (Yes, I stole those yadas.)

Back to CA and the HRG vs. Bob showdown
Bob released Claire and HRG released Elle. West had been told to immediately fly Claire out of danger. He did, but Elle nailed them with an electric bolt, knocking them out of the sky. West landed atop Claire, thus saving his life.


HRG turned to Bob, aiming his gun. "If you die, the Company dies." But before he could shoot (he hesitated a really long time for an ex-Company dude), Mohinder shot him in the eye just like in the Isaac Mendez prophetic painting. Oh, no! I was liking HRG!

But, he's not dead even though Claire thinks he is -- West flew her away and stayed as she broke the news to her mother.

Bob took HRG. He gave him a transfusion with Claire's blood and the eye bullet hole healed before his very eyes. He was on a bed in a cell-room at the Company, it appeared.

He woke up startled. Then he declared, "I'm home!"

Wow.

Mohinder has got to go. He's whacked as of late. Maybe Elle will accidentally electrocute him.

There were no Wonder Twins this chapter. Good.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

'The Amazing Race 12' - East Coast Update - 11/18

Jackie's TV Blog, Amazing Race, TAR

It's past 8 PM, do you know where your TAR is? What? Delayed by football once again?

Argh.

Graphic arteest Zoetawny made this TAR street for me. I feel like I'm gonna snagged by the cops for driving over the double yellow line. In CT, that offense is "failure to drive right." I always thought it could just be called "driving wrong." Thanks for the graphic, Zoetawny!

In other TAR news, I wrote a TV Squad entry about my hypothetical "if I were to do it" application for the next season.

Once the show starts here in the NYC area, this entry will be updated with the major happenings as they air. All comments are welcome -- I love to read your thoughts about the show.

UPDATE 8:20 PM ET -- The show has started, yay.

They're on the way to Ouagadougou. Yes, they are.

Once in Bingo, the roadblock is milking camels, then leading four camels to the next clue. Priceless!

Detour wasn't exciting, but was cool anyway. They could teach or learn ten words either to students (teach) or in the native language (learn). Phil said MAY be eliminated, so we'll see if the non-elims exist.

Pit Stop order:
1. Azaria and Hendekea - won a trip to Bermuda
Abunch of teams arrived almost at once. I have to review my tape, but I think this was the order...
2. TK/Rachel
3. Nathan/Jennifer
4. Kynt/Vixsyn
5. Ron and Christina
Then ...
6. Donald and Nicholas
7. Shana and Jennifer
8. Lorena and Jason
9. Marianna and Julia -- eliminated.

My full review of the show is over on TV Squad.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

TV Newsy Bits - Saturday, November 17, 2007

Some tree fungi in the autumn afternoon sun. No, it wasn't me who took that bite out. It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is coming up on us later this week. They're talking a wintry mix of wet snow and rain for tonight. As long as my home is warm, I'm okay with it. My knee isn't thrilled, but what can you do?

Here are today's TV Newsy Bits:
  • This first one isn't really a TV newsy bit, although the restaurant has been featured on TV news shows for its $25,000 (yes, you read that right) dessert sprinkled with gold dust -- Serendipity 3 in Manhattan has been closed down by the health department for one live mouse, a dead mouse, mouse droppings, and over 100 live cockroaches. No, I have never been there. I love chocolate and desserts, but don't want to take out a mortgage to have them.
  • Tyler Perry's House of Payne returns with new episodes on TBS December 5.
  • RealityWanted.net has an interview with Frosti, the latest castaway booted on Survivor 15: China. While he mentions getting by the age restriction, he doesn't mention how he did it. I still wonder why a 20-year-old got on when the rules are 21. I guess we'll never know.
  • In that article, there's a link to Frosti's MySpace page. Hmmm... he saves the world? From that page, you can pages of find other Survivor castaways including Jean-Robert. Well, you might not want Jean-Robert's page, I guess.
  • Oh, no! Save the dolphins, arrest a cheerleader! Actress Hayden Panettiere, Claire on Heroes, has an arrest warrant out for her issued by police in Japan. Why? Her efforts to save the dolphins.
  • American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee is now engaged. Maybe that's why she hasn't been so noticeable on the airwaves as of late.
Today's music non-sequitur:
Goodnight moonlight ladies,
Rockabye sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues are
The colors I choose
Won't you let me go down
In my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby James.
-- "Sweet Baby James" by James Taylor

Thursday, November 15, 2007

'Survivor 15: China' - East Coast Updates 11/15

The show has started here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll be updating this entry with the latest news including the boot at the end of the show. My full review will be posted later tonight on TV Squad. I look forward to reading your comments about the show!

Erik, Frosti, Amanda, and Courtney won reward -- an overnight cruise.

Denise, Todd, Courtney, and James chose to eat instead of trying for Immunity.

Peih-Gee won immunity.

Frosti was voted out. Aw.

Although it's over, it's not. Jeff said they weren't heading back to the camp as they had more business to attend to, cut to credits. It's a to be continued kind of thing, I guess.

TV Newsy Bits - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Can you spot Roofus the cat? It was rainy and overcast here today, turning into windy, cold, and rainy as the day progressed. My own cat who's ill is quite ill. I have two fifteen year-old cats and one of them has developed kidney disease to go with a few other ailments. The prognosis isn't good. He's at home now, but has to have medication and is getting really fussy about everything. The other cat is fine. Fat, but no signs of any problems.

I'll be putting up a Survivor East Coast Update post around 8 PM ET. I'll keep it updated and reading your comments as the show airs, then will later be posting a review of the show over on TV Squad.

In other TV News:
  • Buddy TV has an interview with Jack Coleman of Heroes.
  • TV Land will have a special TV's 50 Greatest Icons tomorrow night (Friday, November 16) at 8 PM ET/PT. You can sneak a peek at the list here.
I have some more news about The Closer, Frank TV and more which will have to wait until over the weekend. I have to watch what they sent me!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

TV Newsy Bits - Wednesday, November 14, 2007

I see the train a'comin', it's rolling 'round the bend. I haven't seen the sunshine since I don't know when. (My apologies to Johnny Cash for appropriating "Folsom Prison Blues.") But, you know how it is. After all, I shot a man in Reno just to see him die.

Or not.

I took the photo of the NJ Transit train arriving at the Plainfield Train Station.

I apologize for being a bit away yesterday and today (although I'm here now). Here are today's TV Newsy Bits and I'll be catching up on emails and comments when I can get to them:
I'm sorry (apologizing a lot tonight, aren't I?) to leave this a bit short, but unfortunately I have an ill cat here who needs my attention. Sigh.

Monday, November 12, 2007

'Heroes' - "Four Months Ago"

Heroes - NBC

Tonight they promised us answers about what happened between the seasons. And,
they actually did. Of course, as with Lost, now I have some new questions. But I knew that Bob was a bad, bad man. I knew it!

Here's the lowdown skinny ...

Everything hinged on the ability to remember the past, a quality only found in humans. Well, that's what Mohinder Suresh's narrative told us, anyway.

Here's what happened to DL, Micah, and Niki/Jessica:
The bullet we saw last season didn't kill DL. He actually got a job as a fireman and became a true-life normal kind of hero. He did until Niki went all Jessica, locking Niki in the mirror to run off to Los Angeles, that is.


But before that happened, Niki met Bob Bad Man in the hospital as DL recovered
from his wound. Bob knew about her powers and offered to cure her so she would never hurt anyone again. He mentioned that the papers had nothing about what had happened at Kirby Plaza, nor the Linderman death. He wanted to help her because Jessica's not gone, blah-blah-blah.

She agreed to take medication at home as she didn't want to go in for treatmen
t. On her first day of a new job as a car saleswoman, Jessica took over and ran off to Los Angeles. DL went to find her and got shot as he offended her new lustmate on the dance floor. Now, that killed him.

She left Micah with his grandmother and cousins, Monica and Damon, to go for treatment with dear Bad Bob. At the end of tonight's episode, in present day, she left the Company supposedly cured.


What happened with the Wonder Twins:

Maya and Alejandro were "normal" at his wedding. Maya, not really so normal as she was vehemently against the marriage. She caught the bride having sex with another man at the wedding (no less). Her black bleeding eyes bit began and she not only killed the bride and her sex mate, but the entire wedding party!


She tried to hide out in a church, even away from her brother -- the only one who didn't die in the party of hundreds. He found her in the church and turned her in "for her own good." She did the eye thing again, he calmed her holding her hands and they were last seen with a watch repairman named Gabriel (Sylar) near the US border.

I still don't like them. She killed so many, make her go away.

What happened after Kirby Plaza:

As Nathan and Peter flew away from the Plaza, Peter insisted that Nathan let
him go. Peter was nuking out and Nathan was starting to burn. Nathan can fly, but he doesn't burn well, not at all.

Nathan ended up in the hospital in very bad shape. He told his wife about flying and all. Then Mrs. Petrelli told her that he was suffering delusions and they had a deep dark secret in the family's past with delusions and suicide. She better run, Mrs. P said. Maybe she didn't put it quite that way, but ...!

They all assumed Peter exploded and died. But Peter had brought Nathan into the hospital in the first place and was himself healing when ...

Peter, Adam, Elle, Bob, the Haitian, and the Company:
... Elle, with Bad Man Bob (Dad?) at her side, zapped Peter and they took him captive at the Company, telling him they want to cure him. They claimed that he needed to be cured before he hurt anyone else.

In the cell er, ... room, next to him was a man named Adam. Adam had been there for thirty years awaiting his cure. And, yes, it's that Adam, Kensei Adam. Bob or Elle gave Peter doses of what they called the Haitian pills to make him forget his powers or render him useless. The Haitian was there, working for Bob.

Elle likes to be all over Peter. It turns out she doesn't get out much. She has that fingertip zap thing going on -- burnt down her grandmother's house when she was six, caused a major blackout when she was eight. The doctors called her a sociopath. So, it appears the Company has had her for years.

Adam kept working on Peter to remember, to not take the meds. He told him it
was a prison and they were just going to keep him, not cure him. Adam also told him that his (Adam's) blood could cure Nathan's burns because he has the healing factor.

Finally, he broke through to Peter and they both escaped. They went to the
hospital where Adam's blood did indeed do the trick and Nathan started healing right before their eyes. But they had to get out of there quick as they were surely followed.

And, they were. They split up with Adam telling Peter to meet him at the warehouse in Montreal and they would save the world.

Elle set Peter afire, but then chased after Adam. She had the Haitian chase Peter. He caught him, but instead of bringing him back, he decided it was better for Peter to escape the Company and start a new life. He handcuffed him inside an outgoing cargo car and did the Vulcan Mind Meld ... er, no ... that's the Haitian Memory Melt, I think.

And, back to present -- Adam and Peter met in the warehouse. Adam jolted his memory back.

So, are you ready to save the world?

Sunday, November 11, 2007

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

The show has started on the East Coast. Return for updates as they air! (And visit comments, too.) My full review of the show is at this link.

The teams are on the way to Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Pit Stop Arrival --
1. Lorena and Jason
2. Nathan and Jennifer
3. Shana and Jennifer
4. Kynt and Vyxsin
5. Azaria and Hendekea
6. TK and Rachel
7. Julia and Marianna
8. Nicolas and Donald
9. Ron and Christina
10. Eliminated -- Pat and Kate

TV Newsy Bits - Sunday, November 11, 2007


I mentioned I wanted a black t-shirt with white letters "Writer" like the striking WGA writers and graphic artist Zoetawny got straight to work on getting me one. She included the blog and even the little TV Squad logo! How cool is that? Thanks, Zoetawny!

It's Veterans Day. Although I tend to think there must be other ways instead of wars, I salute those who have served risking their lives for our country.

Tonight is the second episode of The Amazing Race 12 and it looks like it will start on time here in the NYC viewing area. I'll be writing up the full review to be posted at TV Squad later tonight, but will start up an East Coast Update post to report big events on the show, including the eliminated team. I'll have that started around 8 PM ET -- please stop by and share your thoughts on the show!

Random thoughts going through my mind on an early Sunday evening:
  1. Sometimes strangers on a train should remain strangers on a train for the good of those around them.
  2. Just because I nod and say hello as I pass you on the sidewalk doesn't mean you can ask me for money or cigarettes.
  3. Construction workers have cool radio-controlled earth-squashing machinery at their disposal these days. Wow! It looks like such fun! I chose the wrong career.
  4. Why are newscasters standing so much these days? They never seem to know what to do with their hands. What's up with that?
  5. Why does my cat think every time I go into the kitchen that I'm going to give him more food or treats?
Onto today's TV Newsy Bits:
  • The WGA strike continues. I'm glad I tend to focus my writing around reality television for the most part.
  • Conan O'Brien's priest stalker has been hospitalized. The police were told there were concerns about his mental stability. Now, I watched a few news clips of him. That is one odd priest -- he just kept smiling. If I were arrested, humiliated, and the object of disdain by the public, I'd crawl under a rock. I wouldn't just keep smiling a rather deranged smile.
  • The stagehands on Broadway are still on strike. Fitting the situation, the first show affected was How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Also affected was Duran Duran and any shows staffed by that particular union.
Today's music non-sequitur:
They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway
They say there's always magic in the air
But when you're walkin' down that street
And you ain't had enough to eat
The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere.

-- "Broadway" as sung by George Benson

Saturday, November 10, 2007

TV Newsy Bits - Saturday, November 10, 2007


I took this photo in midtown Manhattan (NYC, not Kansas) in the evening as drizzle hit the streets. I didn't see any cats atop the buildings.

MY review of last night's The Next Great American Band is up and running over at TV Squad.

In other TV Newsy Bits:
  • Not TV news per se, but sort of related in the entertainment arena -- Broadway shows will be going dark today as the stagehands go out on strike. It won't affect me as I didn't plan to go see any Broadway shows. What I'd like to see which is going on now at Madison Square Garden is Cirque du Soleil even though critics are panning Wintuk.
  • Author Norman Mailer died, again not television, but certainly related to film!
  • Ellen DeGeneres is getting a lot of heat for carrying on with her show despite the writers strike. I can understand some of her points, but I don't think it's a good move for her to make when most of Hollywood is in solidarity with the strikers.
Today's music non-sequitur:
Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
And he keeps it … ah … out of sight.
-- "Mack the Knife" as sung by Bobby Darin

Thursday, November 08, 2007

'Survivor 15: China' - East Coast Updates - 11/08

The show has started here on the East Coast. This post will be updated with major news as it airs. Everyone is welcome to comment!

Jean-Robert, James, Todd, and Amanda won Reward -- a dinner in a Chinese village. They also got something to read when they get there, but we're in commercial.

It was the last clue to the hidden idol which only Jean-Robert didn't know about and is meaningless at this point.

Courtney won Immunity!

Jean-Robert voted out.

My review will be posted on TV Squad later tonight.

UPDATE - That review is up and running!


TV Newsy Bits - Thursday, November 8, 2007


The Plainfield, NJ Train Station just before dawn. I saw Roofus today, but he went up on an adjacent roof (the condemned building) before I could get a chance to take a photo. He actually can roam four building tops -- the building with the fire escape is too high and on the other side, there's a building which is only two stories.

At around 8 PM ET, I'll be posting a Survivor China East Coast Update entry, updating it as the show airs here in the NYC area. As always, my review of the episode will be posted late tonight on TV Squad. Everyone is welcome to jump in with their thoughts in the comments section of the East Coast Update post, or join in over at TVS!

In other TV Newsy Bits:
  • Buddy TV is certainly getting around -- they have interviews posted with Ryan Rodriguez from Biggest Loser, Tony Dovolani the recently eliminated dancer on Dancing With the Stars, and Natalie and John from Beauty and the Geek.
  • The WGA writers strike has claimed another victim -- 24 will not be airing as originally scheduled because they don't want to break up Day 7.
  • Rosie O'Donnell will not be going on MSNBC as their talks have ended.
  • Ew Alert!! A priest has been stalking Conan O'Brien. Ew.
  • Late last night I saw a TV commercial for contestants for The Amazing Race 13. They might be pushing that forward for the winter season, y'think?
  • I also saw Ando from Heroes on a McDonalds commercial.
Today's music non-sequitur:
It's all because your mama don't dance
And your daddy don't rock and roll.
-- "Your Mama Don't Dance" by Loggins and Messina

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

TV Newsy Bits - Wednesday, November 7, 2007


Nah, it's not Roofus the Cat. This is a photo I took on a much warmer day than today as I watched a city cat watch the world go by. Today it's much chillier here with actual freeze warnings ahead and even the "s" word as a possible in the forecast for Friday night. Now, where did I put my gloves from last season?

In TV Newsy Bits:
  • I wrote an article about ten ways I'll cope with the WGA writers strike for TV Squad. Readers here will know that I edited the union construction strike inflatable rat photo I posted last month. Hey, it worked. I realize the strike rats I've seen for the writers strike have been gray, but mine is cooler, right? I think it's the first ever feature article I've had at TVS.
  • But no matter how much thought I put into it, no matter my attempts at wit, as well as my solidarity for my writing friends -- AOL welcome-screened my American Idol changes post on TV Squad from the other day and that one's getting all the attention (and fanatics).
  • I've decided I want a black t-shirt with "writer" in white letters like the strikers.
  • Buddy TV has an exclusive interview with Greg Grunberg who plays Matt Parkman on Heroes. He even goes into the latest news about the show and the writers strike.
  • Marie Osmond won't quit Dancing With the Stars even though her father passed away.
I'll be watching Kid Nation and posting my review later tonight over on TV Squad.

Today's musical non-sequitur:
And I can change the world,

I will be the sunlight in your universe.
You would think my love was really something good,
Baby if I could change the world.
-- "If I Could Change the World" as sung by Eric Clapton

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

TV Newsy Bits - Tuesday, November 6, 2007


We all need a cozy place in the sun, but I'm not sure about the roof of a balcony window. But that's where I first spotted Roofus months ago. Shortly after I snapped this photo, he leaped atop the fire escape on the right and actually caught a bird. Yipes. I just saw feathers flying and a flurry of activity. Since I saw his feet go right through the fire escape "floor," I wish the fire escapes on his building were more like mine with more narrow openings. I don't think there ever are any cats on my own fire escape or roof. Squirrels, birds, perhaps a burglar ... but not a cat burglar! For a larger image, click on it.

In today's TV Newsy Bits:
  • Will the writers strike give us Big Brother 9 in January? Check out my latest on TV Squad!
  • I also wrote a TVS article about changes coming for the next American Idol season.
  • I'm sure you've heard the news, especially if you're a Dancing With the Stars fan -- Marie Osmond's father died. I don't know how that will affect the show, but my condolences go out the the family, friends, and fans of the Osmonds.
  • Realitywanted.net has an interview with Ari and Staella, the first team eliminated from The Amazing Race 12. In it they mention they were big fans of the show with favorite teams of Rob and Amber and Mirna and Charla. Hmmm. I actually liked Rob more on TAR than on Survivor and can take or leave Amber. With Charla and Mirna, I have mixed feelings. I'd like to see Charla with someone other than Mirna. Neither team was my favorite on the show.
Today's music non-sequitur:
Through the woodland, through the valley

Comes a horseman wild and free
Tilting at the windmills passing
Who can the brave young horseman be
--"Don Quixote" by Gordon Lightfoot

Monday, November 05, 2007

'Heroes' - "Out of Time"

Well, I'm not quite sure what to make of all of the happenings in tonight's episode. One thing I'm really having issues with is all the jumping around so darn much. I swear this is how they plan it --

"Let's do a minute and a half of Hiro
in 1671 Japan."
"Quick! Let's go back to the Company in Hartsdale!"
"Enough of that, go back to Hiro!"
"Too much Hiro, let's go jump in on Claire!"

While I enjoy action, I'd prefer instead of jumping around so much, a more expanded version of the individual character stories. Please!

Hiro
It turns out Takezo Kensei traded Hiro for money and half of Japan with the dreaded White Beard. Hiro, Yaeko, and her swordsmith father were taken captive. Yaeko convinced Hiro to teleport them to escape.

Hiro tried to convince Yaeko that Kensei was good inside, but she wasn't too convinced -- after all, he stole, plundered, got her and her father kidnapped and all so much more.

When Hiro went to the camp to stop White Beard's march, he had to destroy the guns as that would change history if they were to remain. Kensei came in, big swordfight, the building blew
up with Hiro teleporting out just in time. But Kensei was blown to bits (apparently) in the blast.

As set up before he went, Hiro returned to Yaeko under the cherry blossom tree. She tried to convince him to stay, they both professed their l
ove, but Hiro said he must return to his own time. Yaeko will tell everyone the tales of the brave Kensei (Hiro will always be the real Kensei to her) so that centuries later, a young Hiro will hear the legends.

Poof. Hiro returns to Ando in present-day Japan. Ando told him there had been no blast, they saved the world. "Yata!"

Alas, then Ando told Hiro that his father was dead and had been murdered. Un-tata.

Noah Bennet (Butler/HRG) in Odessa, Ukraine
Bennet, still in the Ukraine with the Isaac paintings of the future, called Mohinder at the Company in Hartsdale, NY. Mohinder tried to tell HRG that he wasn't trusted at the Company any longer and Bob had assigned him a partner. HRG wanted him to help him with the paintings, but Mohinder said it would put him in danger. HRG burned the paintings. Don't ask me why.

At the Company with Many
Bob demanded the building be evacuated accompanied by Nathan Petrelli and Matt Parkman. Supposedly Parkman's father, the Nightmare Man (Maury), was in the building or on the way to kill Bob. He wants to kill Maury with the serum. Mohinder balks again. (I think Mohinder lost his mind sometime over the summer -- he doesn't have a clue what he's doing and flip-flops looking confused a lot this season.)

Bob told Park
man that he's the only one who can stop his father because he's the only one with the same powers. Parkman claimed that all he can do is read minds; Bob says he can do more.

So, Parkman decided to have a soul-to-soul talk with the comatose Molly. He
told her all about Bob thinking his powers were more than they are and the sad, sad story about his father leaving when he was a child. He noticed that when he told her he loved her, the monitor readings jumped. Why, gosh! He has power! So, he tried to communicate with her and they ended up in a rather lower-class apartment.

Molly told him that's where the Nightmare Man keeps her when he gets her. Sure enough, Maury shows up.

Oh, oh ... but before that ... in the Company, Niki is having visions of the dead DL -- with the Nightmare Man Maury skinking around corners and doorways in the building. DL tried to convince her she was still a murderer and hasn't changed. "You'll never see Micah again!"

Now, she's having the argument with DL in front of Mohinder. Of course, Mohinder couldn't see DL because DL was a nightmare created for Niki by Maury, so he thought she was a bit off ... then he looked confused some more. She ended up turning all Jessica, taking the serum, and breaking t
hrough the door to attack Bob with it.

In a struggle with Mohinder over the serum, she stabbed it into her own arm. Oh, she broke Mohinder's nose first.

Mohinder tried to thwart the poison with his own anti-virus which worked for Molly to no avail. It's a new strain.


Bob told Nathan that Maury wasn't the real problem. The real problem is Adam who escaped two weeks
previous. Linderman was Adam's disciple. Adam is the visionary. Bob also told Nathan that Peter was alive. He said that he had been in Cork, Ireland, and they recently lost him.

Bob gave Mohinder a gun, telling him the only way to save Niki was to get Claire because of her healing powers. Mohinder hesitated, then told Bob that he was working with Bennet to bring down the company. (What is with him?) Bob told him about bennet killing his mentor, Evon Spector in the Ukraine. "A storm is coming and Claire is the key." (Save the cheerleader, save the world!)

Mohinder, gun in hand, looked even more confused. He doesn't know which side is right. Now, unless he shoots Bob the next time ... I don't know what's up with him.

Nightmare Man, Parkman, and Molly in the Apartment
As I mentioned, Molly and Parkman roughly teleported to the apartment where Maury would take her. It turns out it's Matt Parkman's childhood apartment set for the night his father deserted the family. It's his father's nightmare.

Matt's powers kic
k in and his father arrived. They had a yelling battle in which you could almost picture Maury as the Wicked Witch of the West being melted by Dorothy. I swear I could hear Maury cry, "I'm melting! I'm melting!"

Oh, that was just me. In reality, Matt's powers grew while his father was surrounded with his own nightmare -- the desertion of his family. Matt and Molly left, leaving Maury behind.

Wham ... they appeared in the Company infirmary with Maury dead on the floor nearby. "He'll never scare you again, Molly."

Peter Petrelli in NYC - Mother Child Reunion
Peter and Caitlin were in evacuated NYC in 2008 when they were surrounded by men in protective suits who snagged them to be decontaminated.

While held captive, Peter was asked why he, a dead man, isn't even sick. His interrogator insisted there was a death certificate for him. Peter claimed he doesn't even remember who he is. When Peter asked about Caitlin, he was told she would be deported.

He was told that the Ashanti virus killed 93% of the population in 2007. His mother is brought to him, but he doesn't remember her at first. As she kept talking to him, it all came back. She told him that Nathan died in the first outbreak of the virus.

When Peter spots them taking Caitin away, he ran to her and freaked out a lot. And, accidentally used his powers to teleport himself back to the room in Montreal.

Where ... Adam arrived. Remember, Adam is the one who left the note to him about fighting the company. And, Adam is also the one Bob fears and says is running the show. And, Adam is Takezo Kensei, unaged after centuries.

Oh, suspense!

Claire and West in California
Claire is snuggling a lot with West despite her promise to her father that she wouldn't have a boyfriend. West showed up to bring breakfast and, with just Mom Bennet at hime, he stayed. Claire at least knew to hide the pictures of HRG because West had said he had been abducted by a man with Horn Rimmed Glasses.

He also showed her an article about the drunken cheerleader ousted from the squad after claiming to see a flying mugger.

They snuggle.

That lasts until HRG comes home and HRG is indeed West's HRG! He bolts, flies away.

Bennet confronted Claire with the article knowing that she had some kind of involvement. The mother mentions the new boyfriend. HRG freaks.

He says they have to move. Claire balks, saying if they go, they can go without her.

And, there you go. Next week is an "answers" kind of episode which is supposed to fill us in on some things. I think we need it.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

My 'Amazing Race 12' Season Premiere Review on TV Squad

My TAR 12 season premiere review is live on TV Squad at this link. I hope you enjoy it!

'The Amazing Race 12' - Season Premiere - East Coast Updates

Jackie's TV Blog, Amazing Race, TAR

The start of the season premiere - "Donkeys Have Souls, Too" - is delayed here in the NYC area due to football. Once it starts up, I'll update this post with the important happenings and quick thoughts as it airs. Graphic artist Zoetawny with her new 'puter made a graphic for the blog and I'm ready to watch the show even though I've already watched it not once, but twice! (Does that tell you what you're in for?) My full review is set to be posted on TV Squad at 10:05 PM ET.

Update 8:10 PM ET -- 60 Minutes is still on. I expect TAR to start in about 15 minutes, but will let you know.

UPDATE 8:25 PM ET -- 60 Minutes has ended, the show will be starting momentarily. Racers ready?

Yes! It's on! Cool classic convertibles to the Playboy Mansion. I'm not so keen about the Playboy Mansion part.

Hey ... against other news sources, the non-elim legs are still in! 8 of the 11 are elimination legs! That sounds like non-eliminations to me, doesn't it to you?

They're trying to get to LAX to board flights to Shannon, Ireland. Several are lost and there are two flights, one leaving earlier than the other. Five teams are on the first flight, six on the later one. Ronald and Christina an Azaria and Hendekea have bonded a bit. Hendekea borrowed a cell phone and set up two taxis for their teams.

The earlier flight is delayed and the second shall be first! I love that.

Ari and Staella stole one of the taxis. Good thing the driver let another non-stolen cab pass them.

An old person always falls, don't they?

I'm officially tired of Jennifer and Nathan. She whines very annoyingly. Lorena and Jason aren't too great in that department either. Love it that Kynt and Vyxsin didn't let the broken bike chain stop them.

I absolutely LOVE the high-wire bike Roadblock! That is so cool!

Love the donkeys, and how they cooperate with SOME teams ... teams who are nice to them do much better. Nathan and Jennifer are already screaming at each other. And Ari called one "stupid donk."

Ari threatened to eat his donkey!

Azaria and Hendekea came in to the Pit Stop first and won a trip to Alberta, Canada. Kynt and Vyxsin came in second and TK/Rachel third. Ari is still yelling at his donkey while Ron is singing Danny Boy as he pedals the high-wire bike.,

"Donkeys have souls, too" said Christina commenting about how Ari and Staella were treating their donkey. Jennifer and Nathan are still stranded with theirs.

Lorena and Jason made it to the Pit Stop -- 4th place. Nicolas and Donald are team number five. Shana and Jennifer are team 6. The other Jennifer (with Nathan) is still whining, but they finally got their donkey to move.

Ron and Christina are team seven. Who's your daddy? Kate and Pat are team 8. Now it gets all emotional...! Marianna and Julia are team nine and Jennifer and Nathan are on their heels at team 10.

Guess who karma bit on the butt? Yep, Ari and Staella are eliminated. They stole a cab and were mean to their donkey. Heh.

TV Newsy Bits - Sunday, November 4, 2007


This is a photo I took during a previous holiday season, but with the nip in the air mornings now, it seems right for today. Again, I used layers to make the background black and white while leaving the inflated turkey (run, turkey, run!) in color. The location is John's Meat Market in Scotch Plains, New Jersey -- a place I love to go to for old-fashioned butcher attention and really fine meats. If you click on the photo, you'll see a larger version.

In today's TV Newsy Bits:
  • Don't forget -- The Amazing Race 12 premiere is tonight after 60 Minutes, with a possible football delay on the east coast. Thanks to the screener I received for the TV Squad gig, I've already seen it. Although I won't spoil anything for you -- I like most of the teams at first glance with two teams who annoy me. One of those two went! (Yay!) So you have no clue what team was eliminated, but it's already off to a good start with me because an annoying team is gone. Now if the other would go away next week!
  • The New York Marathon is today. I won't be there. Even when I could run, I didn't run. I think the most I've ever run at one time was two miles, not 26. I will raise a cup of hot chocolate to them from the comfort of my living room.
  • It's still uncertain but probable that the WGA's television and film writers will go on strike tomorrow. Although scripted television shows wouldn't be immediately impacted, my late night Letterman fix will probably head into reruns. I guess it would be good for me to go bed earlier, eh?
  • Although my own writing isn't covered by the WGA, I can sympathize with its members. Outside of this blog, I write on a freelance contract which necessitates me keeping a day job. I found this Huffington Post article very informative about the writing industry for film and television. In an industry which pays its actors ridiculously high salaries, it offers the writers virtual peanuts in comparison. With my freelance work, I earn more than many of the WGA members and I'm not writing fiction which I know from personal experience is a lot tougher than blogging. And, when you think of it ... if not for writers, there would be no films and scripted television shows in the first place. Stephen King money isn't expected, but a living wage is and they should get their royalties on DVD and Internet sales increased. Is four cents too much to ask? I think not!
  • Thinking of Stephen King -- I see The Mist is going to be released in theaters soon. That's one of my all-time Stephen King short story favorites. Although I probably won't go see it in a theater, I will definitely get it once it comes out on DVD. (The writer will get paid, I'm sure!) It stars Andre Braugher, one of my favorite actors from Homicide: Life on the Street.
Today's music non-sequitur:
She put de lime in de coconut, she drank 'em both up

She put de lime in de coconut, she called the doctor, woke him up,
And said, "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take,
I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache?
-- "Coconut" by Nilsson

Friday, November 02, 2007

'The Amazing Race 12' - The Teams - Part Three

Here it is! The last installment on the teams we'll be seeing starting this Sunday, November 4, 8 PM ET?/PT in most viewing areas -- or, seeing the time slot, possibly delayed for sports in many areas. Sigh.

I covered the other teams in this post and in this one, too.

Ari and Staella are one of the younger teams -- 21 and 24 respectively -- and they're best friends all about having fun. Okay.

He's a waiter and she's a restaurant
manager. He lives with her family which seems to indicate that neither have been out on their own. Ari says he's catty, mean, rude, hilarious and is never afraid to speak his mind, loves to dance -- always great qualities for the race, right? Staella thinks she's honest, trustworthy, and caring. (I do like that more.)

They think they'll ruffle feathers of the other teams and have a great time. Me? I don't like their attitudes. Well, his attitude. She seems okay.

Marianna and Julia are sisters hailing from Miami. They describe themselves as feisty, best friends, and worst enemies. Julia is the problem-solver while Marianna is the athlete. Both consider themselves to be very competitive and think they're unbeatable. Good. It's always nice to have a strong all-woman team even if we're lacking the all-men teams this season.

Supposedly Julia is emotional while Marianna is as steady as a rock. Julia thinks Marianna doesn't self-censor and is often mean. They've traveled together before and say that their favorite team was BJ and Tyler due to their upbeat energy. Well, hopefully these two will have the same!

Like the blondes this season, they aren't afraid to flirt.

Speaking of BJ and Tyler, look! It's TK and Rachel! They're a dating couple -- she's a florist and store owner while he's a substitute teacher. Their mothers were friends for years, but they're only recently dating.

They say they're always laughing (good) and want to see how their relationship stands up to the race. Rachel believes she's bright and ambitious. She thinks the biggest difference between her
and TK are the lives they've led. She started working and bought a business right out of high school while he was a collegiate athlete at UC Santa Barbara.

TK's sport was swimming. He thinks he's dedicated, witty, and intelligent. They hope to spend their lives together starting out with a million dollar nest egg.

Now, here's a team a bit different from many of the ones we've seen before. Kate and Pat are married lesbian ministers. They dated for seven years and married three years ago. They say not to worry -- they aren't afraid to play dirty. Pat is the second-oldest racer this season at 65. (Grandfather Donald is 68.)

Kate thinks she avoids conflict while Pat dives right in. Kate says she's passionate and sarcastic while Pat claims to be persistent and dependable. Pat thinks Kate often misjudges her time, something which might affect them as a team during the race. They're not afraid to compete against anyone and think their years of experience will beat out the physical prowess of other teams. I think others have thought along those lines before and it hasn't won the race yet. But I think they'll be an interesting team to watch.

Although technically California heavy, I like the mix of racers this season. I'm so glad we're not seeing a season full of model couples. What do you think?

Thursday, November 01, 2007

'Survivor 15: China' - 11/01 Show - East Coast Updates

The show has started here on the East Coast. I'll be updating this post with important events as they air, so please return here for the news. As always, comments are welcome! My full review of tonight's episode will be on TV Squad later tonight.

UPDATE -- James found the second hidden idol. Alas, Jaime just peeked in his bag and found both hidden idols. Uh-oh.

UPDATE -- Merge is on, black buffs, will use Fei Long camp, feast and Chinese cultural performances

UPDATE -- Frosti won the first individual Immuniy.

UPDATE -- Bwahahaha! Jaime pulled out the blank plaque thinking it was the hidden Immunity Idol -- she got voted off.

My Survivor review for TV Squad should be up at this link around midnight. I apologize for the delay, but it was out of my hands.

'Dancing With the Stars' - Fall 2007 Season - Blog Discussion Post Two

Due to popular request, I'm putting up an additional DWTS blog discussion post for the remainder of the season as the comments in the other one were getting unwieldy.

The official show website is here.

This season's original discussion post can be found here and I invite you to bring over any ongoing discussions you wish from the older post.

The original blog discussion post is located here.
AOL's feature page for Dancing With the Stars is right here.
The TV Squad reviews for the show can be found here.
The SirLinksAlot page for the show is here (lots of great links).

TV Newsy Bits - Thursday, November 1, 2007


Oh, look what I got! Look what I got! Thanks to my TV Squad gig, I received a screener copy of The Amazing Race 12 season premiere today! And, but of course, I dropped what I was doing to watch it immediately after the FedEx man left. My lips are sealed; I can't be bribed. I'll be posting a review of the season premiere Sunday evening on TV Squad. But I'll say one thing -- the magic is back! Set the Sunday 8 PM ET/PT hour aside for an amazing good time.

In other TV Newsy Bits:
  • Around 8 PM ET tonight I'll be setting up a Survivor 15: China East Coast Updates post which I'll update throughout the show with the major happenings. My full show review will be posted on TV Squad late this evening.
  • I have a few posts up over on TV Squad you might wish to peek at -- my Kid Nation review from last night and spoilers for the upcoming Survivor 16. With the latter, if you don't want to know, don't go. It's filming now, so no boot spoilers just location and all stars or not kind of stuff.
  • At this time it's still uncertain whether the WGA (Writers Guild of America) will call for its members to strike. If it does, the most immediate shows impacted will be shows such as Letterman, Leno, SNL, and such. They don't have shows filmed ahead and rely on a staff of writers. The first show postponed due to a possible strike is Heroes: Origins according to news sources.
  • This blog will not be affected by any strike. I'd hold out for more pay here, but ... um ... well, I do have my day job because writing can't support me in the jetsetting way of life I love so much. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.)
  • I'm postponing my final installment on the TAR12 teams until tomorrow evening due to time issues today. But, who knows? Maybe I saved the best for last!
Today's music non-sequitur:
We can dance if we want to
We can leave your friends behind
'Cause your friends don't dance
And if your friends don't dance
They're no friends of mine.
-- "The Safety Dance" - Men Without Hats

'The Amazing Race 12' - The Teams - Part Two

Continuing on with the teams we'll be seeing starting this Sunday, November 4, I'll cover the next four in this entry. If you click on the TAR12 link you see at the bottom of the post, it will bring up all of my posts about the show. Um ... I think that would be one here now. But there will be more even though I'll be writing the reviews of the show for TV Squad this season. An introductory teams post is over on TV Squad and Part One of the teams can be found here. Without further ado ...

Shana and Jennifer, an actress and a legal assistant, seem like they might take a page from Evil Beauty Queens Dustin and Kandice. They're beautiful (eye candy for the guys) and blonde. On the promos for the season, we've seen these two promise to use flirting and their looks to get ahead.

Shana has a back up career plan -- she also recently finished chef school. (Maybe we'll see her on Top Chef next!) She thinks she's loyal, compassionate, and competitive. She also has a lot of traveling experience.

Jennifer is also well-traveled, but thinks she's more meticulous in comparison to Shana. They both think they have the experiences and competitiveness to win it all. They could very well be a strong team.

Brother and sister team Azaria and Hendekea should prove to be my own personal triumph against misspelling names ... or a huge failure. I'm so hoping Hendekea has a nickname. Henny maybe? Originally hailing from New Orleans, he remains there while she moved out to California.

In the CBS bio, she says she's dainty. Dainty? Can you be dainty on The Amazing Race? Should you even think of daintiness? Yikes!

Both siblings seem to have it on the ball in the brains department, but the bio hints at underlying problems with sibling rivalry. He's the older one and tended to pick on her when she was younger. My brother probably would have picked on me to
o had I thought I was dainty. I guess we'll see how they do.

Lorena and Jason have more typical jobs for reality show contestants than do many on TAR -- a bartender and a wedding videographer, respectively. Both act, too. (Surprise, surprise.) Compared to Azaria being a facilities engineer and his sister an aerospace engineer, Lorena and Jason have reality show careers, eh?

They're a dating couple who met at a bar three years ago. They live together, but rarely see each other due to conflicting work schedules. And, they're yet another dating team who claim to be using the race to see if they really belong together. Haven't we seen enough of those?

They have cultural differences to overcome, too. Oh, well. He thinks he's courageous and volatile. She's extremely jealous when it comes to him. I don't know. If they bicker too much or call each other "babe" through gritted teeth when the love just ain't there -- they can be out early for all I care!

I think Nicolas and Donald are going to be an interesting team to watch -- he's very young (23) and he's old (68), a grandson and grandfather. I'm talking young and old in terms of running the race, not in "real life." One's tall, one's short. They look so different from many of the perfectly matched kind of teams that I want to cheer these two on from the start.

Nicolas thinks he's reliable, competitive, and goofy. Yes, goofy. I like goofy at times -- as long as he isn't just silly! Donald likes to tell his grandson what to do and thinks that while Nicolas may know maps (he's been a pilot since the age of 17), he possesses street smarts and experience.

I hope Donald is in good shape. I think I want this team to last far into the race because I'm going to enjoy them. I think so, anyway.

The final installment on the teams will be posted tomorrow evening. Are you ready?

[Team images used here © CBS]