'Survivor 15: China' - East Coast Update -11/29

I'll be updating this post with the major events of tonight's show as it airs on the east coast. My full review of the episode is posted on TV Squad.

Stop on back!

UPDATE -- They were held after at Tribal Council due to a Reward Challenge, not a second vote. Peih-Gee won reward and chose Erik and Denise to accompany her on a private jet trip to a temple.

Erik won individual immunity. Amanda wants to blindslide James.

And it worked. He thought Peih-Gee was the target and they blindsided him. He didn't use the idol because he didn't see it coming. Peih-Gee voted Todd, James voted Peih-Gee, all the rest voted for James.

Today's TV Newsy Bits - Wednesday, November 28, 2007

This is my cat Scherzo (pronounced Skairt-so). It's an Italian word which translates to Jester. (Which went well with a Teaser.) It's also the light and bouncy part in classical music. She's not as good with cameras as Teaser was -- she tends to close her eyes and move her head as if sensing the shutter. I want to thank everyone for their comments.

On another cat note, I saw Roofus the roof cat yesterday morning but he wasn't at a good angle for a photo.

In today's TV Newsy Bits:

• I'll be writing my weekly review of Kid Nation for TV Squad and it should be posted there later tonight.
• I found an interesting website set up by the striking writers for The Late Show with David Letterman. I'm still on the side of the writers in this action even though I'm generally anti-union. Maybe it strikes more close to home than some of the other causes, I don't know.
• I'm not on strike, just a bit quiet.
• Erik Estrada has decided to really become a Muncie cop even though Armed and Famous was canceled. Odd.

Today's musical non-sequitur:
Long ago it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you
-- "Bookends" by Simon and Garfunkel

Tonight's 'Heroes'

It's a new episode tonight, but I want to take a pass on writing up the review. Due to circumstances I'm not up to undertaking it tonight. If you wish to comment on the show, please feel free to do so. I will be watching and might join in in the comments.

My apologies and thank you.

I'm updating this post and adding a recap from blog commenter Carla who was kind enough to write it up for us! Thank you so much, Carla -- you rock!

Here's Carla's take on the episode:

Peter and Adam

Peter and Adam are talking in the warehouse. Peter flashes to the streets of New York a year later. He sees the future Peter and Caitlyn and starts calling out her name. Next thing he’s back in the warehouse with Adam who is telling him that he never left the room. Adam tells Peter that the picture with his parents and the others are the people who created the virus he’s talking about.

Bob at the Bennett House

Mrs. Bennett is holding a gun up to him as he is trying to give (fake) ashes to them. After he’s gone Mrs. Bennett tells the kids to pack their bags because they are leaving tonight. Switches over to Bob sitting in his car talking to Elle, who has her arm in a sling. Bob talks about Elle regaining his trust by watching the cheerleader. She says she will.

Noah Bennett at the Company facility

It shows Noah’s eye fixing itself again. Noah calls for Mohinder who appears at his side. Mohinder tells him that Claire’s blood saved him and he gets very angry. Mohinder tries to tell Noah that the Company saves lives, but Noah tells him that he can’t trust the Company.

New Orleans

The cousins are talking about comic books, heroes, costumes, and secret identities. The boy cousin says he wants to sell the comics to make some money. Nikki comes back and tells Micah that she has a virus but that Jessica and all the rest are gone now. She tells Micah that Dr. Suresh is working on finding a cure and that she will get better. Micah talks about his father’s medal and goes to get it from his backpack but the backpack is missing.

Maya and Sylar

Maya and Sylar are sitting outside drinking wine together. Maya explains her power to Sylar and how her brother helps her when she has an episode. Sylar asks Maya what she would do if she was able to control her power without her brother. “You’ll never know unless you try” without him. Sylar kept talking to make her upset – she did her black crying thing. Sylar cries out “Help, you’re killing me” and Maya somehow controls her power.

Hiro and Ando

Hiro tells Ando he knows Takezo Kensei killed his father.

Peter and Adam in Searsmont, Maine

Peter and Adam are at Victoria’s house. Adam has a gun, but Peter insists on going in alone with no gun. Victoria is gardening when Peter comes and asks if she’s Victoria. She says she’s never heard of her but turns around with a shotgun pointed at him. Peter tells Victoria that the Shanti virus is going to be released in 24 hours and will kill billions of people in a year’s time. Victoria backs up, cocks her gun, and tells Peter to get inside the house, NOW.

Hiro and Ando, present day/Hiro, Kaito, Adam, and Victoria, 1977

Hiro finds a picture of Kensei/Adam with his father. Ando finds an order that Hiro’s father signed to lock Adam up in 1977. Hiro time travels back to that day at Primatech. In 1977 time, Kaito tells Adam he betrayed everything by releasing the virus. Adam says that he had to make a hard choice for the greater good. Victoria is there after Adam is taken away and is talking about Strain 138 and how it is good that Adam didn’t get a hold of it. Kaito takes it from her and says he is going to send it to Odessa. Victoria tells Kaito that it needs to be destroyed because Adam had to have help to break in and get a hold of anything at the Company. Victoria – “I can’t be a part of this anymore.”

Victoria and Peter, present day

Victoria has articles of Company members on her coffee table. Peter asks her to tell him where the virus is so he can save Caitlyn. Victoria tells him he’s looking for mutated strain 138 and that if it is released it would “kill us all.” Outside Peter tells Adam that it’s in a storage facility in New Mexico right before Victoria shoots Adam and then Peter. Victoria comes after Adam a second time to shoot him in the head/shoot his head off (the one thing he wouldn’t be able to recover from). Before she is able to shoot him in the head, Peter comes to and knocks Victoria out.

Maya and Alejandro

Maya tells Alejandro that Gabriel/Sylar helped her control her power. Alejandro tells her that he looked Gabriel Gray up and found out that he is wanted in the death of his mother. Sylar walks into the hotel room asking if Maya has told Alejandro the good news yet. Alejandro walks up to Sylar and confronts him in Spanish. Sylar shuts the door with a sinister look. Maya confronts him in English – this says you killed your mother? Sylar tells her it is true, that his mother didn’t understand when she learned of his powers and thought he was a monster. Her death occurred accidentally when they struggled. Maya tells him that she understands and that Sylar understands exactly what she’s going through and what she feels. She tells Alejandro that she’s staying with Gabriel/Sylar. Alejandro tells her that he’s not leaving her with him. Maya tells him that she knows he hates her because she killed his wife (Sylar put this idea in her head). Alejandro tells her he knows it was an accident but Maya says in her heart she wanted his wife dead. Alejandro rushes out of the hotel room and Sylar tells Maya that he’ll take care of her (with a creepy look on his face).

Victoria, Peter, and Adam

Peter wants to destroy the virus, but Victoria tells him that Adam wants to release the virus. Victoria accuses Adam of killing Kaito and the others. Peter reads Victoria’s mind to find out where the virus is being stored. Adam unties Victoria who grabs the gun and attempts to shoot Peter in the head. Adam beats her to the punch and shoots her, explaining to Peter that she was going to blow his head off and there’s no coming back from that.

New Orleans

Micah’s boy cousin has been beaten up and the backpack with comics and the medal are gone. Micah tells him that he hates him. He tells Nikki that they need to get it back and be heroes like his father. Micah’s power cousin (I can’t remember her name!) has a look on her face that she wants to do something.

Sylar, Maya, Alejandro

Alejandro goes to Sylar’s hotel room and attacks him. Sylar kills him. We hear Maya knocking on the door – Sylar opens the door drying his hair from the shower. Maya tells him that she has to do what she can to protect her brother and it’s better if he just goes back to Mexico. Maya tells Sylar that without him she would still be there. Sylar tells her that he just wants to help her. They kiss and the camera pans to Alejandro lying on the floor and Sylar slowly closing the door.

Bennett family

Claire is going through boxes and West is in the doorway behind her. Claire is sad about the death of her father. She talks about the things she’s done and overcome but says “this hurts more than any of that and it’s not getting better.” She also talks about the guy her father used to work with (the Haitian) who can take the hurt away by erasing her memories of her father. She pulls the wind chimes out of a box to summon him. She just wants to tell her father how sorry she is.

New Orleans

Micah’s power cousin wakes him up and she’s wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. She tells him that she knows where the kids who stole his back pack live and that he can come with her but he has to stay out of the way and out of trouble.

Mohinder and Bob at the Company

Mohinder tells Bob that Claire’s blood is going to work to cure Nikki. He talks about Strain 138 and how dangerous it is. Mohinder wants Bob to help him find it and destroy all strains of the virus. He then calls Nikki in New Orleans to tell her he’s found a cure and will bring it to her on the next flight.

New Orleans

Nikki goes to tell Micah the good news and finds that he’s not in his bed. Scene changes to Micah and the power cousin who is watching something to learn how to climb walls. She says something about it being too bright and she doesn’t want anyone to think she’ robbing the place. Micah touches the streetlight and it turns off. When she asks him how he did it he tells her that he told the light he needed it to be off for while. The power cousin does her climbing thing and gets tot the backpack which is now empty. As she’s looking at it, a car pulls up so she grabs all the comics that are close to her and hides up above the staircase. As the guys are walking up the stairs a comic drops. They look up, pull guns on her, then throw her in the back of their van. Micah runs off.

Bennett family

Claire is standing at the edge of the ocean with what she thinks are her father’s ashes. She says she is sorry and dumps them in the ocean waves with an “I love you, Dad.” Mrs. Bennett tells her to say goodbye to West so they can get going. Claire hugs West and tells him she’s losing everything she cares about. As she’s hugging him, she notices Elle sitting in a car watching her. Elle tries to start the car to leave but can’t get the keys in because her arm is in a sling. Claire confronts her and tells her that she’s going to tell everyone about her secret so that Elle and Bob will be the ones on the run.

Mohinder in a cab in New York

Mohinder is looking at a syringe when his cell phone rings. It’s Sylar! Sylar is with Molly! Sylar tells Mohinder that he is with someone else who can also use his help. Maya is there and she is smiling.

Hiro and Ando

Hiro tells Ando that he knows the virus is in Texas where they saved the cheerleader. Ando asks him how he can save the world with Adam around who can’t be killed. Hiro looks over at his sword and says that he has to try

Primatech Paper – Adam and Peter

Adam and Peter are walking through the factory when time freezes for everyone but Peter. Peter looks around and sees Hiro standing behind him. Hiro tells Peter that Adam killed his father and he must pay for that. Peter tells him that he can’t let him do that. Hiro tells Peter that he’s chosen the wrong side. Peter holds out his power hand then Hiro runs toward him with his sword.

To be continued…

Thank you again, Carla!

Tonight's 'Amazing Race 12' East Coast Updates 11/25

Football ran into overtime and 60 Minutes started nearly an hour late. When The Amazing Race finally gets here, this post will be updated with the major events. A full review of the show will be posted over on TV Squad later tonight.

UPDATE 8:54 PM ET -- 60 Minutes just ended, the show will start soon. Finally.

The U-Turn was introduced. How it works is that it's after a Detour. A team can U-Turn another team to send them back to do the other choice on the Detour. There are two if I caught it right and a team can only use it once during the race.

Shana and Jennifer U-Turned Lorena and Jason thinking they were right behind them. However, the team in back of them was Rachel and TK. Lorena and Jason were already behind everyone else.

Pit Stop --
1. Hendekea and Azaria -- each won a motor scooter
2. Jennifer and Nathan on their heels.
3. Christina and Ronald
4. Nicolas and Donald
5. Vyxsin and Kynt
6. Shana and Jennifer
7. TK and Rachel
8. Lorena and Jason -- Philiminated

Off Topic - The Death of a Good Friend

Those looking for a television-related entry might want to skip this one.

On Saturday, November 24th, my cat Teaser died. He was a constant companion and a great comfort in my life for fifteen years. He hasn't been in good health this past year, but took a sudden turn for the worse about a week ago. There have been issues with feline urinary tract disease, a hyperactive thyroid, and then kidney disease. Last week, he lost interest in food. I took this photo several months ago as he slept in "his" rocking chair.

Oh, but what a great friend he's been. In 1992, I lost my 19 year-old cat. After about a month, I knew needed to have a cat in my life and my veterinarian, an inner-city vet in CT, had a litter of kittens abandoned in front of his animal hospital. He found homes for all of them except one rather plain-looking little gray tabby. One look and I was hooked. He jumped right out of the cage and onto my shoulder. I took him home that day. He weighed less than a pound and a half.

Feeling guilty for leaving such a small kitten alone at home while I was off to work, I adopted another kitten the same age (give or take a week) about a week later. I chose her out of a litter abandoned at the same vet, the first cat I actually ever picked out -- others in my life, including Teaser, sort of came to me. She's a wonderful cat but he was so special.

Teaser and I would play "where's that cat" almost every day. I'd say "where's that cat," he would run and hide, and I'd have to look for him. I'd pretend to not know where he was and he'd leap out of hiding at me, run and hide once again. He was my lap cat, she doesn't like laps or being picked up (although she's very affectionate and a licker, too). He was the cat who could purr forever.

When I went to bed, he'd curl up in the crook of my arm after circling twice. Then he'd put one paw over my wrist, purr until he thought I was asleep, then get up. He never spent the entire night sleeping in the crook of my arm, but it was our 20 minute every night at bedtime routine. If I was sitting, I could snap my fingers and he would stand on his hind feet for a head rub. He was a head-butter and a kneader.

He was my best friend in so many ways. Yes, I know cats aren't people, but the bond is still one of the strongest one can have.

I still have my other cat and, unlike Teaser she hasn't really had health issues over the years other than being overweight. She's wandering around the apartment looking a bit lost, and so am I. She and I will eventually get used to being a one cat household, but I'll always treasure the memories of one of the best cats ever in the world.

Rest in peace, Tizzerfuzz.

TV Newsy Bits - Friday, November 23, 2007

The moon is almost full over New Jersey. Ah-oooo! I hope everyone had a great holiday and, for those who went Xtreme Shopping today on Black Friday, I hope you survived. I had to work, but made the mistake of walking into a Target store thinking I might want to buy a computer monitor which they have on sale. No computer monitor, even given away, would be worth fighting that crowd. I immediately left before I made it to the department.

I haven't seen Roofus the cat, but it's been raining, very cold, or dark as I've been by there. Unless he can get sun, he seems to vanish, perhaps to the inside of the condemned building. Also, his free rein can lead him all over the roofs of four buildings and I can only see the front edges from my vantage point. I think he's probably okay.

In TV Newsy Bits:

• Although it was a clip episode, I wrote a review of last night's Survivor 15: China over on TV Squad. I also think I forget to mention my Kid Nation review there this week.
• Later tonight I'll be reviewing The Next Great American Band over on TVS.
• NBC has announced that Leno will be airing some vintage episodes as the WGA strike continues ... I want Letterman to do the same!
• The Frank TV debut on TBS attracted 2.9 million viewers -- a great showing! If you missed the show, it will air on Tuesday nights at 11 PM ET/PT in most viewing areas.
• Reality TV World has an interview with voted off from Dancing With the Stars Jennie Garth.

Today's musical non-sequitur:
I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand
Walking through the streets of Soho in the rain
He was looking for a place called Lee Ho Fook's
Going to get himself a big dish of beef chow mein
-- "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon

'Survivor 15: China' - 11/22 Clips Show

Zoetawny made a special graphic for tonight's Survivor. It's not a regular episode -- it's clips and unaired stuff about the remaining castaways.

So far the most interesting comment was Courtney saying her strength in the game is that she's not a strong player. Um, okay.

A brief shout out to Sydney, home from her honeymoon adventures! Welcome back!

Happy Thanksgiving!

First, I'd like to thank graphic artist Zoetawny for the Thanksgiving-themed graphic! Another will be coming up later tonight!

I want to thank all the readers who visit, comment, and created a community around this blog. I know I've gone through some changes this year with the paid writing job, but I'm so thankful that the readers keep coming here. Y'all rock, y'know!

I hope everyone is spending the holiday with loved ones and fine food. I guess you can even watch football -- I know I won't be watching any games. I won't be going into the city for the parade, but it's a great day here to do so.

A bit later today, an "I'm thankful for" post will be put up over on TV Squad. I wrote it sometime back, but it should go up around 10 AM today if memory serves. Since it's TV Squad, it's about what I'm thankful for regarding television. You'll recognize the image -- I edited out the meat market and left just the inflatable turkey from the photo I posted here a while ago. The posts from all the bloggers there have been going on since Monday. Several used my turkey, so I guess it came out well. I am thankful that TVS gave me my first professional blogging job and the folks at AOL TV supported getting me aboard. Now I'm still working on making it a career! ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

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

'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!)

Meanwhile, 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.

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

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.

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

'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!

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:

• TV Squad has several of my articles online including my Kid Nation review, a list of how different shows are affected by the writers strike, reality shows planned, and some other stuff.
• People magazine's sexiest man list is out. Hmmm... Matt Damon? Not bad, but sexiest? Hmmm...
• Ellen DeGeneres won't be coming to New York City after all.
• And, for Grey's Anatomy fans -- Ellen Pompeo got married.
  

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.

'Heroes' - "Four Months Ago"

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 treatment. 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?

'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

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

'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

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

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

'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 love, 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 Parkman 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 through 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 kick 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.