TV Newsy Bits - Thursday, January 4, 2006

Happy Thursday to everyone! Yes, I have your TV Newsy Bits hot, or at the very least, warm off the presses. These are entertainment-related news stories I found throughout the Internet which caught my interest. And, as they caught my interest, I'm sure most will catch your interest, as well.

• This one is a hoot - CANOE -- JAM! Television: New reality show plops white rappers into South Bronx to battle for $100,000 - Ice, Ice, Baby...!
• Although casting for Big Brother 8 won't be finalized for months, the Jokers Updates site decided to take matters in their own hands and give advice to applicants. Hey, woo the Internet! No grey sweatpants everyday, no diva white robes every day. And, most importantly, don't give shout-outs to your parents while in a sexual act.
• Reality News Online has posted an interview with Rob and Kimberly from Amazing Race 10. Like others before them, they think Peter was edited to make him look worse than he really is. They liked Tom and Terry. No marriage announcements, but Rob and Kimberly are still a couple.
• Reality TV Magazine has confirmed that Jonathan Baker and Victoria Fuller will not be in the upcoming Amazing Race 11: All Stars. They mention other teams which will be on the show (previously mentioned right here).
• In other quasi-Amazing Race news, previous winner Reichen Lehmkuhl is suing blogger Perez Hilton for writing unflattering statements about him. Yipes. Isn't Reichen soooo good-looking? (Covering my bases here.)
• Reality TV Magazine has the latest scoop on what some of the past American Idol contestants are doing - Bucky now has a record deal, Mandisa is writing a book and more.

WCBS News Wishes Another to the Cornfield?

Beware - this article is regionally focused unlike most of my entries here. If you're in the NYC viewing area, you may be interested in reading on. If you're not, it may be a bunch of odd news. But, then again, it's odd news going on...

Last spring I wrote about the changes on the early pre-The Early Show news show on the local CBS affiliate - WCBS, Channel 2 out of New York City. I liked that show as it was, craziness and all, to have on in the background as I readied myself for work. I liked Shon Gables, Dave Price, Mario Bosquez, Vanessa Alfano and the others. I liked Dance Fridays and a bit of zany tomfoolery to start out my day. Ah, but WCBS had a better idea. They took anchor Maurice Dubois from the evening news, thrust him in the early morning slot and imported a woman from somewhere in the Midwest to co-anchor. They would have a proper newscast! No more tomfoolery!

While Price continued on in his The Early Show job, the others may as well have been victims of Anthony Fremont in The Twilight Zone episode "It's a Good Life" - wished to the cornfield never to be seen again. Yes, Shon Gables had an appearance on The View (which I missed). But, where oh where is Mario Bosquez? Is he still in the cornfield? Will he emerge someday to grace my television screen once again? I see Vanessa Alfano sometimes on the old UPN station, now My9 or something to that effect. But she's still in the cornfield, perhaps escaping now and then for a glimpse on my set.

In December, WCBS wished another news anchor to the cornfield - Roz Abrams, a local NYC news fixture for decades. Like Mario, supposedly she's still employed by them, but nowhere in sight. Cornfield, I say! With her disappearance, I wasn't too saddened. For me, Roz just didn't do it. I swear she sat around practicing cutesy looks instead of being a news anchor. Replacing her with Dana Tyler was a good move.

Earlier, the two co-anchors of the noon newscast vanished into the cornfield and sportscaster Chris Wragge replaced them, along with yet another import. Cindy Hsu occasionally emerges from the cornfield as a correspondent on stories, but I fear the day it will be permanent cornfield for her.

The latest to be sent to the cornfield is Audrey Puente, the meteorologist doing the weather on the early morning and noon shows. Some weather-dude from California with teeny glasses is in her place. Gak. Like the others, she's supposed to be still on contract.

But I hear all the cries from the cornfield...

Hey, What's on TV Tonight? Wed., January 3, 2007

Even though my favorite shows aren't around tonight, there is still a reason to spend at least a portion (perhaps a substantial one) in front of the television this evening.

Of course, I may have a book going at the same time during the 8 PM primetime hour. There's a new King of Queens followed by a repeat of Two and a Half Men on CBS. I could check out which episodes of Law and Order: SVU and Without a Trace are on cable stations. I'll see what my mood is at that hour.

At 9 PM, I will be checking out the new series The Knights of Prosperity with Donal Logue on ABC. A group of working joes scheme to rob Mick Jagger's apartment and Mick is even playing a role in the opening episode. So, I'll give it a shot. It's followed by another new sitcom, In Case of Emergency. The latter isn't sounding overly interesting to me, but I'll see. Maybe I'll just tape Knights and watch Criminal Minds on CBS - I've been liking that show more each time I see it. CM is a repeat, but since I've only recently started watching the show, it'll be new to me.

At the 10 PM hour, I'm not getting the "must see" feeling from anything I see in the listings. There's a new Medium on, but I've never been able to get into that show. I've seen the C.S.I.: NY and have no overwhelming urge to watch it again. Perhaps I'll see if the Animal Precinct episode is one I've already seen. Or, better yet, the Rosanne episodes running for the hour on Nickelodeon are ones I haven't seen since they originally aired (or maybe not at all in the case of one).

I know that at the 11:30 talk show hour, I'll be watching Letterman with a cautious eye to flip my attention to Leno when I see Masi Oka (Hiro Nakamura on Heroes) appear on the latter. I have a TV near my computer in my "library," but another in sight in the living room I can have running simultaneously set on mute. When the Masi segment shows, I'll concentrate on that as he's supposed to give a peek at future episodes of Heroes.

Oh, and then I suppose I'll hit the sack. What are your TV plans for the night?

TV Newsy Bits - Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Any Big Brother fans out there? Yeah, I know you're there. I found a site with a "where are they now" article - a lot of it is basic research, but there are tidbits on Eddie McGee, Will Kirby, Jun Song, Drew Daniels, Lisa Donahue, Maggie Ausburn, and the beloved (cough) Mike Malin. The site itself, TV Robot, is a bit odd. Much of the information is via Google and Wikipedia searches and, from what I've seen so far, most the articles (one per major show, more for a few) are credited to the same writer. Oh, it's definitely better than me doing all the research, though! Interesting site... sort of like a specialized search engine on caffeine.

TV Robot has another article researched from many sources regarding the upcoming Survivor 14: Fiji.

TV Robot also punched up an AOL page I recently linked in this blog regarding Survivor "where are they now." Hmmm... although they don't link (and should link) their source, at least they mention it. I didn't compare the AOL page and theirs side-by-side, but it looks like they added some of their own personal opinions in addition to AOL's previously released information. Hmmm... not sure I like that approach to things. If anyone sees anything of mine on there, please let me know. Regurgitated material without properly linking the source tends to annoy me.

Not TV-related, but just an odd note - in NYC this week there are a bunch of taxis covered with fur and bearing horns (not the noisy horns they love to honk so much, but bull horns). They're doing it to promote some rodeo-type event at Madison Square Garden. Yeah, it's fun until some pedestrian gets gored in the crosswalk!

TV Newsy Bits - Monday, January 1, 2007

A new year is here and new shows are finally on the horizon!

The Apprentice: L.A. will premiere next Sunday night, January 7. It'll be a 90-minute show at 9:30 PM ET/PT. For me, it's going to be a bit weird to not have it coming out of New York City. And, even though Trump has disgusted me with his behavior in the stupid Rosie O'Donnell feud, I'll be watching the show. The new location and new twist with the "haves" and "have nots" sounds intriguing.

American Idol starts up again on January 16 and 17. I'll be there. Or, actually here. No, I refuse to sing in public and you can't make me!

I watched the preview of Living with Ed today on HGTV. That will be airing Sunday evenings at 10 PM ET/PT through February 4. I found the show a fun peek into the eco-friendly ways that I'm certain to not abide by in my own life. (I live in an apartment building in Jersey. My landlord would freak if I stuck solar panels up!) I like the relationship between Ed Begley Jr. and his wife, Rachelle. This show is one I think you should definitely give a look-see.

On Wednesday night, January 3, this Letterman fan (me!) will be watching or taping The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to see a sneak preview of upcoming Heroes. My favorite hero, Hiro, played by Masi Oka, will be on the show. Sorry, Dave, I promise not to like his show on a regular basis. On January 22nd, Heroes returns. Are you on the list? (Although I found "Save the cheerleader; save the world" so much catchier a phrase!)

Yesterday and today I found myself tuning into the SciFi Channel at all sorts of odd hours. Why? Well, it was The Twilight Zone marathon. I know I've seen all of the episodes at some time or another over the years, but there are still some I haven't seen since childhood. Although I didn't catch "The Living Doll" episode, which I really wanted to see again, at least I caught the one with Anthony (Billy Mumy) wishing people to the cornfield and making three-headed gophers. That's a good thing he done, ain't it?

Now I have the Heroes mini-marathon on NBC... just a taste for what's to come! Hey, maybe the future me has a sword. You never know.

2006 - The (TV) Year That Was - My Favorite Shows

What a year it was in television, eh? Hits, misses, a lot of somewhere in betweens...

I've been pondering my favorites and, if I had to list them in some sort of order, the Number 1 television show experience for me would be Heroes. I've become addicted to the show from the character of Hiro to the tagline "Save the cheerleader; save the world." I've been a lifelong comics fan of sorts (falling in and out of the medium at times) and I find this show exciting and mesmerizing. Like a graphic novel unfolding before us, I can't wait to see the latest chapter. Kudos to Heroes! I'm not sure where the story is going, but I'll be joining it for the ride.

My Number 2 choice is more for the entertainment value than the storyline... American Idol. Call me shallow, I don't care. I never miss an episode of the show from auditions through the finals. I'll admit I've never bought a record by any of the chosen Idols, but that's beside the point. I have my secret crush on Simon Cowell (shhh!) and love to watch his reactions throughout the show. 2006's finalists were a great mix of talents and not-so-talented, perhaps more talented than myself, but does Covais ring a bell? Crooners, rockers, country and western - AI has it all. I'll be watching the new season to see if they can top last season's entertainment value rating with me.

The Amazing Race 9 (spring 2006) rolls in at the Number 3 slot in my rankings. With the exception of the Family Edition (8), this show has long been a favorite of mine. In 9, the winners were the ones I loved to watch all season long, unlike the latest season. In the latest season (10), I was ambivalent about who won in the end, so that keeps the season from ranking high on my favorites. I still liked the show, mind you. But I like it better when the winners are ones I cheered on throughout the season. BJ and Tyler of season 9 absolutely rock!

Those would be my Top Three shows, but many more made the ranks of my Top Ten. (Okay, seven more.) I'm not sure how I'd rank them. The latest season of Survivor has been one of my all-time favorites - I hope they keep such a diverse cast on the shows without separating the tribes by race. I'm still hooked on C.S.I. and the Law and Order shows. I'm still hooked on Lost although I'm leery of their actual plots and whether they're going to tie up loose ends and plot holes.

Although "all stars" versions of reality shows aren't tops with me, I thoroughly enjoyed Big Brother 7: All Stars except for Mike Boogie winning it all. I didn't like him in his season and he wouldn't have even made the show if not for Will Kirby. However, if that was the price to pay for watching another season of the Evil Dr. Will on the feeds and on the show, it was a price well justified. After all, I was entertained.

I'm iffy on Jericho, so my personal jury is still out with that one. I've recently discovered the joys of Ugly Betty and Criminal Minds, but so recently that I can't place them on a list of favorites.

If I had to name a favorite sitcom of the year, I'd say How I Met Your Mother is... wait for it... legendary! I definitely like it best when Marshall and Lily are a couple, but I fear this show would lose its bite without Neil Patrick Harris as Barney. He makes the show or, more accurately, the character of Barney makes the show. Suit up and sit down to watch it if you're not already a fan!

My favorite animal show (yeah, I have those) is Meerkat Manor on Animal Planet. The ongoing intro by Sean Astin is a bit much show after show, but the meerkats are intriguing and addicting to watch. The show is realistic in that the life and death of the meerkats is only documented and they don't interfere with the course of nature. Nature, of course, can be cruel at times. I find it sad when they actually give the various meerkats names and then they're carried off by hawks or killed by rival meerkat gangs, but that's life. This show is still a hit with me.

What were your favorites in 2006?

Happy New Year!

I want to take a moment to thank everyone for a fantastic year with this blog. I started it up just about a year ago - the first week of January 2006. In that time, the sitemeter has recorded well over a million pageviews and that's a lot for a mere blog.

Of course, a good portion of those visits came during the Big Brother Live Feeds Reports days, but that's not unexpected. However, many folks stayed around after the feeds ended and I appreciate you all!

Graphic artist Zoetawny has loaded the New Year for us and I've got a few articles in the making for the day.

May 2007 bring you all happiness, love, prosperity and, of course, good television! And, thank you once again for your loyal readership and comments!

Party Pants - This Week on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' - Jan. 1 - 5

Like David Letterman, I've been laying a bit low this holiday week. I hope everyone has had a good holiday season!

Dave is a repeat Monday night - New Year's Day. But then he's back in full swing for the rest of the week with new shows, new pants for the new year!

Here are the scheduled guests for this week:

• Monday, Jan. 1: Originally aired 11/21/06, guests are Chris Elliott, Hugh Jackman and Jimmie Johnson. While I usually get a kick out of Chris Elliott appearances on the show, this wasn't a favorite of mine. Why, oh why, can't they show a repeat from a few years ago? Yes, the monologue would be untimely, but I'd enjoy it so much more than I do recent repeats. And, this is one show I wouldn't have picked for re-airing. Ah, well, Dave never asks me about these things!
• Tuesday, Jan. 2: Martin Short promoting Broadway's Fame Becomes Me and Donal Logue (Knights of Prosperity). Um, okay. I'm not a huge Martin Short fan although the Broadway show seems perfect for him. ('Nuff said.)
• Wednesday, Jan. 3: Matt Lauer from The Today Show, Artie Lange (Beer League DVD) and musical guest Augustana (CD is All the Stars and Boulevards). I like Matt Lauer, have no idea about the Beer League (although I've known some folks over the years who would love to be members), and I'm not familiar with Augustana. This could be interesting.
• Thursday, Jan. 4: Cedric the Entertainer promoting The Cleaner and musical guest Switchfoot (CD is Oh! Gravity.) Cedric is okay and the band sounds interesting. They're ringing a bell with me, but I just can't place them.
• Friday, Jan. 5: Now, this is the really big shoe... Donald Trump (probably promoting The Apprentice which premieres soon, but surely will touch on his latest embarrassing public feud with Rosie O'Donnell) and Mary Lynn Rajskub from 24. No musical guest is listed at this time.

There are the pants for this week. Keep in mind, if you are a stupid human or if your pet does a silly pet trick, they're always looking for new acts. I contend cats are under-represented but my own two cats refuse to go, something about shunning the spotlight. Go figure.

Sneak Peek: 'The Funniest Commercials of the Year: 2006' on TBS

Tonight, tonight, you're gonna giggle tonight.

Mark it down - tonight, Wednesday, December 27 at 9 PM ET/PT, TBS. Be there. You won't regret it. Kevin Nealon will host the event from Times Square, NYC and it is the Funniest Commercials of the Year: 2006.

I've always been a fan of entertaining television, even when it comes to television commercials - the funnier the better. I miss some of the great ones mainly because I'm not a football fan and can't endure the Superbowl just to watch the commercials. I miss others because I live in the U.S.A. and don't get to see some of the ads from abroad. I've talked about TV commercials before, from GEICO's Gecko to its Cavemen, and I've even touched on how much I love the offbeat AmeriQuest ads.

Thanks to the good folks at TBS, I have the inside scoop on tonight's show ahead of time. It won't keep me from watching it as it airs. I have screener copies from them with no commercials, after all. I have to see what commercials they have during the show!

Now, I know the Top Ten Funniest Commercials of the Year and, just to tease you... I even know the order. But I'm forbidden to tell. They're "embargoed" or something like that! If I tell, then TBS may tie me to a chair and make me watch the Duddiest Commercials of the Year over and over again until I plea for mercy. I'm not sure what they'd do if I were to tell, but I dare not. You'll have to watch the show tonight to find out for yourself.

What I will say is that some of these commercials, even ones not in the top ten, got me laughing. Although I'm very familiar with some, others are new to me. I don't believe they ever played the white-culture-club-rap "Tea Par-tay" (an ad for Smirnoff) here in the NYC area. If they did, it was during football or something and I missed it.

The foreign commercials often get a bit racier than our own and some of them probably couldn't air on our stations. But, they're in the show, possibly a bit censored, definitely somewhat blurred. To me, some of the racy commercials aren't necessarily my favorites. I like the ones which make me laugh out loud as they air and this show has many of those.

TBS has a webpage going for the show and I encourage you to drop by there and check it out.

No, you can't get the order of the Top Ten and the winning Number One out of me! I won't tell! It's embargoed information, I tell ya! TBS trusted me with it and I just can't let them down.

But I will say, I think they nailed it.

TV Newsy Bits - Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Well, well, well... TV, with the exception of holiday programming, has been a bit quiet as of late. Not to fear, though! Sometime later tonight or tomorrow morning I'll be sharing a sneak peek at a TBS show which airs tomorrow night - The Funniest Commercials of the Year: 2006. It's hosted by Kevin Nealon (ex-SNL) and I'll let you know all about it in just a wee bit.

Another new series on the horizon, this one coming to us from HGTV, sounds interesting. Television and movie actor Ed Begley, Jr. is in his own new reality show about himself... and his wife... and his obsession with eco-friendly green ways while his wife is decidedly not such a fanatic. The premise reminds me of either Green Acres or Donny and Marie (she was a little country, he was a bit rock and roll) on a modern basis with a real-life couple. Living with Ed premieres on New Year's Day (Monday) at 1 PM ET/PT on cable station HGTV. After the premiere, its regular slot will be Sunday nights at 10 PM ET/PT through February 4. The website for the show has more information. I'll be checking it out.

Just a reminder - if you're in the Boston area or have plans travel there, Grey's Anatomy fans have the chance to see GA's Kate Burton in the play "The Cherry Orchard" at the Huntington Theatre. The play will run from January 5 through February 4. Adam from the theatre was kind enough to send this photo taken at the first rehearsal meet and greet.

Y'know, Boston is lovely in the winter! If I were closer, I'd certainly go.

In other TV Newsy Bits:

• Start the New Year With a Triple Episode Night of "Heroes" on NBC - Yes! Three episodes, although repeats.
• Don't forget - TBS will be showing new My Boys episodes tonight through Thursday night at 10 PM ET/PT. If you haven't caught the show yet, it's a lot of fun and a step away from the dramas we usually see at that hour (as well as this week's repeats).
• Following a pattern of big name stars in episodes thus far this season, Law and Order: SVU kicks off the non-repeats next week with "name" guest stars according to Celebrity Spider.
• The ex-Prison Break actor recently involved in a car accident which killed a teenaged boy, Lane Garrison, has been fired from his role in a movie.
• The Mountain Press has an article about Survivor: The Australian Outback winner Tina Wesson's new book. Will you be buying it?

Pants With a Purpose - This Week on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' - Dec. 25 - 29

Last week we saw Dave knock the meatball off the top of the Late Show Christmas tree for the second time, leaving a crushed Jay Thomas in his dust.

This week we're in store for repeats, not unexpectedly I might add. Since I've seen them before, maybe I'll hit the sack early for a week! I wonder what it's like to get nearly seven hours of sleep.

Here's the line-up:

• Monday, Dec. 25: Originally aired 12/04/06 - Danny DeVito, duct tape expert William Beacom and Silversun Pickups (musical guest). The kid with the duct tape is fun - all you ever wanted to know about duct tape, but were afraid to ask. Er, okay, he has some facts, but basically makes things out of the duct tape. I want a pair of the duct tape Converse knock-offs.
• Tuesday, Dec. 26: Originally aired 11/22/06 - Matthew Broderick, Stupid Pet Tricks, Lupe Fiasco & Jill Scott. A decent show, but cats are so under-represented in the Stupid Pet Tricks segments!
• Wednesday, Dec. 27: Originally aired 11/06/06 - Will Ferrell, Britney Spears Walk-On, Jack Hanna. Now, this one I'll watch again. I'm not a big Will Ferrell fan although his latest movie sounds interesting - I like the thought of being a character in a novel, I guess. And, I can never get enough of the Jack Hanna segments on the show.
• Thursday, Dec. 28: Originally aired 11/28/06 - George Clooney and musical guests The Decemberists. The Clooney segment is fun as he taunts Brad Pitt with embarrassing photos, but that's the height of the excitement for this one.
• Friday, Dec. 29: Originally aired 12/13/06 - Regis Philbin, Kid Scientists segment and music guest Robert Randolph and the Family Band. An excellent show, for sure. But this is way too soon to see it again. If you're a steel guitar fan, check out the band. Robert Randolph is amazing.

So, there you go... your repeat pants for the holiday week. Hopefully Dave is enjoying the holiday time with little Harry who's really at a cute age for the season this year!

Happy Holidays!

I want to take a moment to wish all of you a Merry Christmas (if that's your holiday) or plain ol' Season's Greetings if you don't celebrate Christmas.

Thank you for being such a huge part of this blog - you've made it all worthwhile!

I hope you enjoy the day with family, friends, love and (of course) great food.

Graphic by Zoetawny. She rocks, y'know!

Holiday Television Programming This Weekend - Dec. 23 - 24

'Twas the weekend before Christmas and all through the house... there were holiday television movies, specials, and cartoons! Of course, you're through with your shopping, wrapping, and baking. It's time for some family time, or even some me time relaxing in front of the TV set, right?

These listings aren't all-inclusive - premium cable stations and local programming aren't included. But, they're representative of the major happenings on broadcast and cable television.

Late Friday night, December 22:

• 11:00 PM ET/PT - TNT - A Perfect Day (movie)
• 11:35 PM ET/PT - CBS - Late Night with David Letterman, Christmas show
• 11:30 PM ET/PT - TBS - The Nightmare Before Christmas (movie)

Saturday, December 23:

• 2 AM ET/PT - F/X - Miracle on 34th Street (movie)
• 4 AM ET/PT - USA - 12 Days of Christmas Eve (movie)
• 7 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Blizzard (movie)
• 9 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Snow (movie)
• 11 AM ET/PT - Lifetime - Mr.St. Nick (movie)
• 11 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Christmas Do-Over (movie)
• 11:15 AM ET/PT - TNT - Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (movie)
• Noon ET/PT - CW - All I Want for Christmas (movie)
• 1 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Call Me Claus (movie)
• 1 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - A Mom for Christmas (movie)
• 3 PM ET/PT - TBS - Hook (movie)
• 3 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Under the Mistletoe (movie)
• 3 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - A Christmas Romance (movie)
• 4 PM Et/PT - Food Network - All Star Holiday Party
• 5 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Crazy for Christmas (movie)
• 5 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Mary Poppins (movie)
• 5 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Christmas in America
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC - The Sound of Music (movie)
• 7 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - His and Her Christmas (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Eloise at Christmastime (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Italian Christmas
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Eve's Christmas (movie)
• 10 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Home Alone 3 (movie)
• 10:30 PM ET/PT - TBS - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (movie)

Sunday, December 24:

• Midnight ET/PT - Lifetime - Stolen Miracle (movie)
• 12:30 AM ET/PT - TBS - The Nightmare Before Christmas (movie)
• 1 AM ET/PT - Comedy Central - Bad Santa (movie)
• 2 AM ET/PT - TBS - Snow Day (movie)
• 3 AM ET/PT - USA - Three Wise Guys (movie)
• 3:30 AM ET/PT - AMC - Prancer (movie)
• 5 AM ET/PT - TNT - A Christmas Carol (movie)
• 6 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - 12 Tiny Christmas Tales
• 6:30 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Mr. Magoo's Christmas
• 7 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - The Stingiest Man in Town
• 7:30 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Nine Dog Christmas
• 8 AM ET/PT - TBS - Hook (movie)
• 9 AM ET/PT - TNT - A Perfect Day (movie)
• 9:30 ET/PT - Cartoon Network - A Johnny Bravo Christmas
• 10 AM ET/PT - WNET (PBS) - Arthur's Perfect Christmas
• 10 AM ET/PT - A&E - Karroll's Christmas (movie)
• 10 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Eloise at Christmastime (movie)
• 10:55 AM ET/PT - TBS - The Nightmare Before Christmas (movie)
• 10:30 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - The Night B4 Christmas
• 11 AM ET/PT - Lifetime - Santa Who? (movie)
• 11 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Bah-Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas
• Noon ET/PT - CW - A Christmas Wish (movie)
• Noon ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Noon ET/PT - ABC Family - Little Drummer Boy
• Noon & 2 PM ET/PT - AMC - Miracle on 34th Street (movie)
• 12:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - The Leprauchauns' Christmas Gold
• 12:30 PM ET/PT - TBS - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (movie)
• 1 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Bill and Mandy Save Christmas
• 1 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Casper's Haunted Christmas (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - F/X - Miracle on 34th Street (movie)
• 3 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Christmas at Water's Edge (movie)
• 3 PM ET/PT - TLC - Crazy Christmas Lights
• 3 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
• 4 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - The Story of the First Christmas Snow
• 4:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
• 5 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - A Christmas Wedding (movie)
• 5 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - The Legend of Frosty the Snowman
• 5 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Pinocchio's Christmas
• 6 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Jack Frost
• 6 PM ET/PT - History Channel - The Real King Herod
• 6 & 8 PM ET/PT - AMC - Miracle on 34th Street (movie)
• 6 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Al Roker's Christmas in New York
• 7 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - All She Wants for Christmas (movie)
• 7 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Frosty's Winter Wonderland
• 7 PM ET/PT - History Channel - The Spear of Christ
• 7 PM ET/PT - Food Network - All Star Holiday Party
• 7:30 PM ET/PT - TBS - Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• 7:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
• 8 PM ET/PT - NBC - It's a Wonderful Life (movie)
• 8 & 10 PM ET/PT - TBS - A Christmas Story (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - A Lost Claus
• 8 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Emeril Live: Hilda's Holiday Classics
• 9 PM ET/PT - CBS - A Very Married Christmas (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - WNET (PBS) - The Nutcracker With Mikhail Baryshnikov
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Holiday Wishes (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - A Year Without Santa Claus
• 9 PM ET/PT - Comedy Central - Bad Santa (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - HGTV - White House Christmas 2006
• 10 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Rudolph's Shiny New Year
• 10 PM ET/PT - AMC - Miracle on 34th Street (movie)
• 10 PM ET/PT - HGTV - Holiday Windows
• 10:30 PM ET/PT - WNET (PBS) - Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring Renée Fleming and Claire Bloom
• 11 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Little Drummer Boy
• 11 PM ET/PT - HGTV - What's With That Christmas House?
• 11:30 PM ET/PT - ABC - A Dream for Christmas (movie)

TV Newsy Bits - Thursday, December 21, 2006

Well, this may be a bit more "schtuff" than actual Newsy Bits tonight. You've been warned!

Okay, who's following the Rosie O'Donnell and Donald Trump brouhaha? (You know how I love to use the word "brouhaha" in a sentence, right? A perfect excuse to do it!) I simply can't believe these two wealthy celebrity adults, can you? And, what's getting me is that I think Donald sunk lower than Rosie. I would have thought it would be the other way around. I'm a huge The Apprentice fan, but he's disappointed me with his behavior in this matter. To sink to calling someone "ugly" and "fat" is schoolyard stuff. Not that I'm defending Rosie, mind you. But...!

Did anyone see the brief Lost promo during Ugly Betty tonight? Jack and Kate have the walkie-talkies and Jack's trying to get Kate a way off the island. Yes, more proof there are indeed two islands. Heck, if giant polar bears run amok, they can go around an island and never see another right nearby. Kate and Sawyer are attacked by the others and someone gets shot.

It seems tonight is the meatball-and-pizza-on-the-tree night for the Late Show with David Letterman judging by the promos. And, tomorrow night is the Christmas show with the Annual Christmas Tree Football Toss.

Ho ho...

TV Newsy Bits - Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Uh-oh, winter starts tomorrow. Do you have your hats and gloves? Oh, sure... I'm certain some folks live in warm winter states, but I'm not one of them. However, the forecast for this area is not including a white Christmas this year. I'm sure we'll have a white Groundhog's Day and be ready for spring anyway.

Here at the TV Newsy Bits I found while poking about the Internet today:

• The TV Tattler has an interview with Yul Kwon, recent Survivor winner (as if you'd forget).
• Taylor Hicks First Album Enters Chart at #2 in First Week - I saw Taylor Hicks singing "White Christmas" this morning on The Early Show. It was a rather unusual version, but enjoyable. I can't help but wonder what new talents we'll see next month when American Idol returns.
• Speaking of American Idol, previous winner Ruben Studdard has shed 100 pounds and has his sights set on helping others in Alabama lose weight.
• Evangeline Lilly, Kate on Lost, lost her Hawaii rental home to a fire early today. Thankfully, she and her roommate(s) weren't home at the time, so they're fine.

I'm currently watching Criminal Minds. I know it's a repeat, but remember... this is a show I haven't been watching, so it's new to me. Y'know, I may end up getting hooked on this show.

Are you all out catching up on shopping or did you get some TV watching done today?

Today's Lyrical Non Sequitur:

Seasons change with the scenery,
weaving time in a tapestry,
won't you stop and remember me at any convenient time?
Funny how my memory skips while looking over manuscripts of unpublished rhyme,
drinking my vodka and lime,
I look around, leaves are brown and the sky is a hazy shade of winter.
Look around, leaves are brown there's a patch of snow on the ground.
-- "Hazy Shade of Winter" by Paul Simon, recorded by Simon and Garfunkel

TV Newsy Bits - Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Get yer bits here. Fresh TV Newsy Bits hot off the press... er, keyboard.

Now, bear with me a moment here. Last week, the CBS website for The Late Show with David Letterman had Bette Midler listed as the Friday night headline guest. Instead, it was Clint Eastwood. They never updated the page to reflect the change. I made a correction to my weekly Late Show guest listings article when I saw the promos.

Being the huge Letterman fan that I am, I know it's always Jay Thomas who does the Annual Christmas Tree Football Toss. He's listed on the website to do it this Friday. But I swear my ears are hearing Dave Price (from The Early Show). Say what? Am I going strangely hearing deficient? Has anyone else heard Dave Price? I'll listen more closely tonight, I guess.

Right now I have the new NBC show Identity on in the background as I write this. I like the premise of the show, but I'm not sure it will hold my interest. So far my impression is that the old What's My Line? married the stage (and music) of The Weakest Link and the wedding was ordained by Penn of Penn and Teller.

The good folks at TBS sent me some more screeners for new My Boys episodes which I'll be watching over the next few days and report back on. They also sent me the news that they've ordered nine new episodes in addition to the five new ones which will air December 26th - 28th starting at 10 p.m. ET/PT. If you liked Friends and Sex and the City, My Boys attracts the same sort of audience while not really being much like either. Have I confused you yet? Check out the show!

In other TV Newsy Bits:

• Reality News Online (RNO rocks) has a transcript of the Yul and Ozzy (Survivor) interviews from The Early Show. The RNO interview with Ozzy sheds makes me like the guy even more. Yul explained his strategy in his interview with them.
• RNO rocked on with a Sundra interview, an Adam interview and a Becky interview.
• Have you had enough Survivor yet? If not, more details about next season have been reported by Reality TV World. Celebrity Spider has news about the ratings (very good) and about show memorabilia up for auction.
• What? More Survivor? AOL has a peachy-keen "Where Are They Now?" feature (not limited to just AOL members). Well, we probably all know where Richard Hatch is...!
• In non-Survivor news, Former 'N Sync Star Joey Fatone Set for Dancing With the Stars

This Week's Holiday Television Programming - December 18 - 22

Oh, no! Time is running out! Chanuka has already begun; Christmas will be here soon. But you can still shop for Christmas gifts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And, there are plenty of specials and holiday shows for you to enjoy during quiet times. This list isn't totally inclusive -- premium cable and local programming are noticeably asbsent. But it gives the skinny on specials, holiday movies, and more during the week.

Graphic artist Zoetawny made me a rockin' reindeer for the holiday, so let's all dance!

Thump.

Or not. Thanks, Zoetawny! It's spiffy!


Monday, December 18:

• Daytime television shows such as Rachael Ray and Martha will be featuring holiday content throughout the week. Ellen DeGeneres is reruns this week.
• 7 PM ET/PT - HGTV - The White House Christmas 2006
• 7 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (movie)
• 8 & 10 PM ET/PT - TNT - A Perfect Day (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - All She Wants for Christmas (movie)

Tuesday, December 19:

• Midnight ET/PT - TNT - A Perfect Day (movie)
• 8 AM ET/PT - Comedy Central - The Hebrew Hammer (movie)
• Noon ET/PT - Lifetime - Christmas on Chestnut Street (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Recipe for a Perfect Christmas (movie)
• 6 PM ET/PT - HGTV - Holiday Windows 2006
• 7 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Mr. Magoo's Christmas
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Frosty's Winter Wonderland
• 7:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC - I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - AMC - Prancer (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Christmas at Water's Edge (movie)

Wednesday, December 20:

• 8 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (movie)
• 10 AM ET/PT - TBS - Beethoven (movie)
• 11 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - A Lost Claus
• 11:30 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Tom and Jerry: Shiver Me Whiskers (animated movie)
• Noon ET/PT - Lifetime - The Secret of Giving (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Borrowed Hearts (movie)
• 3:15 PM ET/PT - AMC - Prancer (movie)
• 6 PM ET/PT - HGTV - What's With That Christmas House?
• 7 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - The Legend of Frosty the Snowman
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - The Year Without a Santa Claus
• 8 PM ET - WNET (PBS - NYC) - Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring Renée Fleming and Claire Bloom
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Christmas Do-Over (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - TNT - A Christmas Carol (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Home for the Holidays (movie)
• 10 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - The Year Without a Santa Claus
• 10 PM ET/PT - TNT - A Perfect Day (movie)

Thursday, December 21:

• Midnight ET/PT - TNT - A Perfect Day (movie)
• 8 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - The Night B4 Christmas
• 8:30 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• 9 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Casper's Haunted Christmas (animated movie)
• 10 AM ET/PT - TBS - Christmas Rush (movie)
• 11 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
• Noon ET/PT - Lifetime - The Angel Doll (movie)
• Noon ET/PT - History Channel - The Christmas Truce
• 2 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Christmas in My Hometown (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - The Legend of Frosty the Snowman
• 6 PM ET/PT - HGTV - Outta Control Christmas
• 7 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Bill and Mandy Save Christmas
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Cat in the Hat
• 7:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Seuss on the Loose
• 8 PM ET/PT - CBS - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• 8 & 10:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - How the Grinch Stole Christmas (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - A Town Without Christmas (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - HGTV - Over the Top Holiday

Friday, December 22:

• 7 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Once Upon a Christmas (movie)
• 8 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Olive, the Other Reindeer
• 9 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Twice Upon a Christmas (movie)
• 9 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - The Legend of Frosty the Snowman
• 10 AM ET/PT - TBS - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (movie)
• 10 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Bah! Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas
• 11 AM ET/PT - F/X - Miracle on 34th Street (movie)
• Noon ET/PT - USA - A Christmas Carol: The Musical (movie)
• Noon ET/PT - Lifetime - The Road to Christmas (movie)
• 12:30 PM ET/PT - NIK - I'll Be Home for Christmas
• 1 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Casper's Haunted Christmas (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - USA - Three Wise Guys (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - A Town Without Christmas (movie)
• 4 PM ET/PT - USA - The 12 Days of Christmas Eve (movie)
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Rudolph's Shiny New Year
• 8 PM ET/PT - CBS - The 8th Annual A Home for the Holidays with Rod Stewart
• 8 PM ET/PT - BET - Holiday Heart (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Mary Poppins (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - AMC - Prancer (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - PAX - It Happened One Christmas (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Christmas Child (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - A Lost Claus
• 9:30 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Bravo Christmas

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - Season Finale -or- "They can't light a fire when given matches?"

I'm much more satisfied with the finale of Survivor compared to the most recent Amazing Race. I had not just one, but two contestants I really thought played the game well and, gosh, I liked them! I was ambivalent about the final group on The Amazing Race once the numbers got down. At least Survivor didn't fail me!

Five remain. Who will outlast the others to be the final Survivor?

After a fairly brief (compared to some) season recap, the show opened on Day 37 with Adam contemplating his fate. He knew that unless he wins Immunity, he's sure to be a goner at the next Tribal Council. No one would sleep with him; he's all alone - a dead man walking, so to speak. He tried to plant the seeds of betrayal in Ozzy, pointing out what a huge target Ozzy carries due to his performance in challenges. Yeah, it worried Ozzy some, but was it enough to sway him?

When treemail came, it indicated a spider web and the chance to slither, run, balance, and know directions. Okay, it sure did. Jeff Probst said it was one of the toughest puzzles ever in this often much too puzzling puzzler of a season. Okay, I said the last part - Jeff just said toughest puzzle ever. I just feel there have been way too many puzzle challenges this season.

This one had them going through a heck of an obstacle course to retrieve eight bags of puzzle parts, one at a time. Once all the bags were retrieved, they had to correctly make an eight-point compass rose. For a while I thought Yul would get it as he seems very intelligent and possibly a Puzzlemaster. But, no. Ozzy won Immunity once again. He's unbelievable!

Adam tried to kick his plan to get the hidden Immunity Idol out of Yul's hands into high gear. He pleaded his case with Ozzy. He pleaded with the girls, Sundra and Becky. In confession, he said that if he can't get Yul to use the idol, he knows he'll be voted off.

And, at Tribal Council, Aitu once again stuck together and voted Adam out. They had a dream of being the Final Four and it came to fruition despite Adam's calling Becky and Sundra out for riding coat-tails. He was a gentleman as he left, though. As some might have said on Big Brother 7: All Stars, a true class act as he left.

Aitu celebrated, then treemail arrived informing them that all four will participate in the final Immunity Challenge. They all embarked on the inevitable Rites of Passage tour, gathering markers of the previous castoffs, saying the obligatory nice things about them. Yawn. They then stood on a mountain top and cast the markers onto a fire. Double yawn. About the only interesting tidbit I heard was that Jonathan had lost 30 pounds in the time he was on the island. It seemed that the Survivors had more food than ever before this season, but perhaps the editing misled us a bit.

The final Immunity Challenge had the ex-Aitu folks standing on small platforms in water. In 15-minute intervals, parts of the platforms were removed. The platforms were made according to the foot size of each so that no one had an advantage. As the platforms dwindled, my own feet hurt just watching them. The final platform was a half the size of a postcard. Yipes!

Becky was the first to fall, followed much later by Yul. Then it was between Sundra and Ozzy on the teensiest platform. Sundra put up a good fight, but Ozzy outlasted her and won the final Immunity. Woohoo! (Yes, he's one of my two favorites I've been cheering on each week.)

Ozzy was pumped over his victory, but was also impressed that Sundra held out so long. But, back at camp, the tightly-knit group knew they were going to face a dilemma - they'd have to vote one of their own off. Ozzy thought it best that they deliberately vote a tie with Becky and Sundra heading to a tiebreaker. That would be the most fair thing to do.

Yul, as owner of the hidden Exile Island Immunity Idol, was as immune as Ozzy, so it had to be one of the women. As he came through the whole game close to Becky, Yul offered her the idol. She seemed to consider it, but did she really? Would she?

At Tribal Council the idol went unused and, sure enough, it went to a tiebreaker. Now, this was amazing. After trying to do the fire-making challenge with a flint, machete, and flammable kindling for 90 minutes, Jeff gave them matches. And they still couldn't light a fire! Really! As the jury napped, rolled their eyes, and giggled and Yul and Ozzy cringed, Sundra finally ran out of matches. Becky eventually got a fire going and won. Buh-bye, Sundra.

Back at camp, Yul and Ozzy were together when a boat arrived with a feast for them. Becky was nowhere around. Ozzy thought it symbolic - it should be Yul and himself as he felt Becky did nothing to be there. Prophet Ozzy also predicted Becky wouldn't get any votes from the jury.

At the final Tribal Council, the jury wasn't anywhere near as rough as in previous years. For the most part, the constestants this season basically liked and respected each other. Yul and Ozzy were both such superb players that no one begrudged them being there. Becky, on the other hand, seemed a bit of a nonentity to the jury.

The speeches the three gave were pretty much what I expected. Yul said he was loyal to those loyal to him, brought his whole team forward, and felt he had affected the game. Ozzy talked about being the underdog and working so hard to provide food and win challenges. Becky tried to defend her actions and claimed to be working with Yul all along, not following him. She was playing a social game strategy. Um, okay.

Although I'm contemplating breaking down the questions by the jury in a separate article, a few things need to be mentioned. First, Becky made a point of telling the jury that Yul had offered her the Immunity Idol and she turned him down. Second, Brad told Ozzy he didn't think he talked 15 seconds to him while on the island. He asked him to tell him something about himself. What Ozzy told was a tearjerker - the story of a boy abandoned by his father. Tears came to his eyes, the eyes of his fellow castaways, and to my own. Jonathan was the only one a bit rough on the three and he was no Sue Hawk. He was more like Alan Alda picking on Major Winchester III.

With no cheesy (and I do miss the cheese) jet-skis or anything, Jeff ended up in Hollywood for the tally of the votes. Hey, no NYC this year? In a close vote, with no votes for Becky, it ended up going to Yul five votes to four. Since my favorites all season have been Yul and Ozzy, I was satisfied. I personally would have voted for Ozzy, but at least he won the SUV voted on by the show's fans as well as his $100,000 for second place. And, that kept the Survivor Car Curse intact, too. Even though they didn't give a car away during the season, one was won. And, no one winning the Survivor car has ever won the million. Becky, if web rumors are correct as CBS doesn't tell, won $85,000 for third place.

Overall, even though this season started up hyped with the possibilities of racial tension, I think it had one of the best casts ever. I've always been a fan of diversity and it was great to see that race didn't play as much of a role as the hype wanted us to believe. Yes, Yul and Ozzy said they both wanted to fight stereotypes, so race played a bit of a part. But at the end of the season, it didn't really matter who started out on what tribe unless you were one of the four remaining Aitu after the merge.

Jeff gave a few hints about Survivor 14: Fiji. Nineteen castaways, one tribe will have it easy, one will not, there will be an Exile Island with two hidden Immunity Idols, and something about a shocking decision one person will make. Again, it looks like the cast is diverse. Cool, I say.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Finale Update - Winner

Yul won the million by a vote of 5 to 4. Becky didn't get any votes.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Finale Update - Second Boot

It was a tie between Becky and Sundra at the second Tribal Council. Yul did not use the Idol to save Becky. A tiebreaker proved neither Becky or Sundra can make fire.

Eventually, Becky won. Sundra is out and the Final Three are Ozzy, Yul, and Becky.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Finale Update - Final Immunity Challenge

Ozzy wins AGAIN. He's guaranteed a place in the Final Three. And, as mentioned in the promos, the Final Three have a chance at the million this season, not just the Final Two.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Finale Update - First Boot

Not surprisingly, Adam was voted out at the first TC of the evening.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Finale Update - Immunity

Ozzy did it again. He won Immunity and is guaranteed a spot in the Final Four.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' 12/17 Finale Blogging

The finale has started on time here on the East Coast. I'll post East Coast Updates for important events as they air. If you don't think you're seeing the most recent post, use the December 2006 Archive link located in the right sidebar of the main page.

Survivors ready?

Jingle Pants, This Week's 'Late Show with David Letterman' - Dec. 18 - 22

Well, I don't think Dave can beat last week's Clint Eastwood appearance on the show. Dang, that guy is holding up so well and he's on shows too infrequently to really get to "know" him. It was neat to see him as himself, not a movie character. He joked about a Dirty Harry sequel and fancied himself chasing criminals in his walker, although he looks like he's in great shape. The Late Show website has a clip of that bit if you wish to take a gander.

Set to guest this week on the Holiday Pants:

• Monday, Dec. 18: Frank Caliendo, Ben Stiller (promoting Night at the Museum), musical guest Rodrigo y Gabriela.
• Tuesday, Dec. 19: Beyonce (promoting Dreamgirls), Marv Albert and comedian Marc Maron. I've never heard of the comedian, but Marv Albert and Beyonce are a rather scary combination. I guess it's good they won't sit together. If we're talking Dreamgirls, I'd rather see the American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson in an interview as she's also starring in the movie. Beyonce never really rocked my world. Um, neither did Marv Albert, but I do like his sports bloopers clips.
• Wednesday, Dec. 20: Holiday Toy Demo and Renee Zellweger (Miss Potter). That's it? Hey! Now the Toy Demo is always a fun bit, but there's got to be more to the show!
• Thursday, Dec. 21: Tom Brokaw (Tom Brokaw Reports: In the Shadow of the American Dream) and musical guests Cold War Kids (Robbers & Cowards). Speaking of yet another man who is aging well...
• Friday, Dec. 22: Cate Blanchett (Notes On a Scandal), Annual Christmas Tree Football Toss with Jay Thomas and Darlene Love in her Annual Christmas appearance. Oh, no! This is the holiday show and, unless my mind has gone a'fishing, the tree isn't even up yet! It's a show not to be missed, but have I gone batty? Did I miss the tree set-up somehow? Is it going to be put up this week? It seems it went up earlier in past seasons! Maybe the meatball and pizza go bad. I guess we'll see.

Oh, and just in case you're interested -- The Late Show is accepting applicants for both Stupid Pet and Stupid Human tricks. The information is up on the website. Me? Well, I could just go and say "my life" as a Stupid Human Trick, but I doubt they'd accept that. I have a cat who meows at each and every glance, but he wouldn't fare well with an audience, so that's out. I guess I'll just have to watch other stupid humans and stupid pets, eh?

TV Newsy Bits - Saturday, December 16, 2006

The Amazing Race wrapped up last week; Survivor's big finale is tomorrow. Heroes, Lost, and Jericho are all sitting dormant. Whatever will a TV fan do?

Well, there are a lot of holiday doings and holiday television out there for the watching. American Idol and our favorite shows will return soon. We can make it!

Here are the TV Newsy Bits I found out there this morning:

• Reality News Online has a transcript of Parvati's (recent Survivor boot) The Early Show appearance, as well as a separate interview with her. I think she comes across better in the interview than she did with me in the show. (But I'm still glad she got the boot. Go Ozzy or Yul!)
• Jack Osbourne as a cop? Say it ain't so! The rather bizarre concept for a new CBS reality show Armed & Famous is explained in this Celebrity Spider article.
• AOL Television News is reporting that Oprah and ABC will be producing two new reality television shows. Oprah, eh? Hmmm... the tentative titles are The Big Give and Your Money or Your Life. Um, what money, I ask? Oprah's or mine?

Today's Lyrical Non Sequitur of the Day:

"Could we have kippers for breakfast
Mummy dear, Mummy dear
They got to have 'em in Texas
'Cause everyone's a millionaire." -- "Breakfast in America" - Supertramp

Happy Chanukah!

Holiday Televison Programming - This Weekend - December 16 - 17

Are you done with your holiday shopping? Or, perhaps you just want to relax a few hours watching a holiday movie on television? Maybe you want to shop from home - shopping networks QVC and HSN (amongst others) are all holiday gifts all the time throughout the weekend.

This list isn't all of the holiday programs; I don't list premium cable or local shows. So you may wish to check your local listings.

Saturday, December 16:

• 7 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Dear Santa
• 8 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Chasing Christmas (movie)
• 10 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Scrooged (movie)
• 10 AM ET/PT - History Channel - The Christmas Truce
• 12 Noon ET/PT - ABC Family - Mr. St. Nick (movie)
• 12 Noon ET/PT - Cartoon Network - The Legend of Frosty the Snowman
• 1 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - A Dad For Christmas (movie)
• 1 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - The Night Before Christmas: A Mouse Tale
• 2 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - A Lost Claus
• 2 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Santa Baby (movie)
• 2:30 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Bravo Christmas
• 3 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - I'll Be Home For Christmas (movie)
• 4 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Christmas in Boston (movie)
• 5 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Borrowed Hearts (movie)
• 5 PM ET/PT - HGTV - A White House Christmas 2006
• 5 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade Holiday
• 5:30 PM ET/PT - AMC - Jurassic Park (movie)
• 6 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Three Days (movie)
• 7 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - A Christmas Wedding (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - CBS - Elf (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - NBC - It's a Wonderful Life (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC - Finding Nemo (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Christmas Do-Over (movie)
• 8 & 10:30 PM ET/PT - AMC - Prancer (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - TNT - Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - The Christmas Wish (movie)

Sunday, December 17:

• Midnight ET/PT - Lifetime - The Man Who Saved Christmas (movie)
• 2 AM ET/PT - TBS - Richie Rich (movie)
• 8:15 AM ET/PT - AMC - Prancer (movie)
• 9:30 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Richie Rich's Christmas Wish (movie)
• 10 AM ET/PT - Bravo - Madonna: The Confessions Tour, Live From London
• 10:30 AM ET/PT - TNT - The Wizard of Oz (movie)
• 11 AM ET/PT - Lifetime - Ebbie (movie)
• 11:30 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
• 11:30 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (movie)
• Noon ET/PT - CW - Christmas Parade
• Noon ET/PT - Bravo - A Clay Aiken Christmas
• 1 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Holiday Affair (movie)
• 1:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Once Upon a Christmas (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - CW - Mouse Hunt (movie)
• 3 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Comfort and Joy (movie)
• 3:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Twice Upon a Christmas (movie)
• 4 PM ET/PT - TBS - Home Alone (movie)
• 4 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Wintertime Treats Unwrapped
• 5 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Recipe for a Perfect Christmas (movie)
• 5 PM ET/PT - HGTV - What's With That Christmas House?
• 5 PM ET/PT - Food Network - The Secret Life of Christmas
• 5:30 & 8 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - How the Grinch Stole Christmas (movie)
• 6 PM ET/PT - Food Network - A Barefoot Contessa Holiday
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC - A Charlie Brown Christmas
• 7 PM ET/PT - PAX - The Santa Trap (movie)
• 7 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Under the Mistletoe (movie)
• 7 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Nigella Bites Christmas Special
• 8 PM ET/PT - CBS - Survivor 13: Cook Islands Season Finale
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC - The Santa Clause 2 (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - TBS - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Emeril's Happy Happy Holidays
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - The Road to Christmas (movie)
• 10:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of the Misfit Toys

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - Ep. 13 -or- "Adam Can't Hold His Mud"

Don't forget... the big Survivor 13: Cook Islands finale starts Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT in most viewing areas. It's a two-hour finale followed by an hour long reunion show.

But what about tonight? Can Ozzy be stopped? Is Yul really a puppetmaster? How about that Becky - is she really sneaky? Is Parvati really Shallow? (Yes, that's her last name, so she is.)

Six remain. Who will be voted out tonight?

Well, the show didn't dilly-dally too long and pretty much jumped right into action (after a brief recap, that is) with treemail. Yes, it was the Reward Challenge and from the verse within the treemail, the castaways guessed mud wrestling - a fun sport indeed.

They were sort of close. It was mud. They had to go into a mudpit, gather as much mud as they could on their bodies, then go through a wooden fence and dump it into their designated buckets. They couldn't use their hands to carry the mud. Ozzy got inventive and gathered a pile in his hair and on the back of his neck. He was driven. Adam really didn't look as muddy as the rest. For the longest time he was the only one not using his hair to gather mud. Yul was gathering the mud on the small of his back and walking hunched over.

Ozzy, in his typical Ozzy fashion, worked it. He easily won with 45 pounds of mud in his bucket after the ten minutes they were allowed. That's about twice as much as anyone else had. Second was Parvati with 24 pounds, third Yul with 22½ pounds. Adam gathered 22 pounds while Sundra and Becky only got 20 pounds each. The funniest part of the challenge was when they all stopped competing and actually looked at each other - Revenge of the Mud Thing!

The reward? The winner and the two highest mud-packers won an overnight trip to a luxury spa, a feast which included alcohol, and lots of festivities. As the winner, Ozzy also chose someone to go to Exhile Island. Since his likely choices would be non-ex-Aitu tribe members, it was a given he'd choose Adam as Parvati was going on Reward. And, so he did.

Becky and Sundra went back to camp, mud and all. While there Becky couldn't get over how much Ozzy beat them by with the mud. She went on another "better get him out sooner rather than later" diatribe. Sundra seemed to agree. They all like Ozzy, but he's unstoppable. He throws himself into each challenge like some kind of winning machine.

Adam thought he'd spend his time in Exile just resting up for the Immunity Challenge, but the weather had another plan. A storm rolled in and he spent most of the night awake, wet, and cold. But, before the storm, at least he ate something. "Who needs fire when you can eat food raw?" Blech, I think it was a crab he was eating.

At the luxury spa, they showered off the mud - Ozzy had "I "heart" it" carved in the drying mud on his chest. He "hearted" a shower a lot more, though. They feasted and partied, then the power went out in the storm. But did it stop the party? Nope! Native dancers danced by candlelight and the good times went on. Then Yul, Ozzy, and Parvati went skinnydipping in the hot tub. Parvati and Ozzy flirted a lot, much to Yul's dismay. He observed it and said in confessional that he was worried she was trying to use Ozzy.

Reunited back at camp, Yul and Becky discussed their concerns about Ozzy. Both are very wary, but Yul doesn't seem to want to take the leap to actively get him out. Yul said in a confessional that no one has a chance against Ozzy with the jury. I think he's right. I had some qualms about Ozzy's attitude in the beginning of the show - he had a chip on his shoulder. But, dang... he's giving it his all. If he wins it all, he deserves it.

Off to the Immunity Challenge! This one should have been easier for the women as it included a balance beam, but that wasn't the case. The castaways had to walk across multi-level balance beams, retrieve four bundles of puzzle parts one at a time, then build a table with their puzzle parts, and guide two cannonballs through a groove to the corner pockets. This been a very puzzling season. Too puzzling at times!

Of course, Ozzy just zipped through the retrievals and his only opposition was Yul. Yul wasn't as quick on the balance beams, but at least he was making his puzzle table at the same time as Ozzy. Parvati was in running for third while Becky took one really painful-looking fall, but kept at it. Sundra and Adam looked like comedy routines falling all over the place. Both were totally off the map as far as winning goes.

So Ozzy won Immunity once again. Can he be stopped? I don't know. Back at the camp, both Adam and Parvati tried to get in his good graces. They want to vote Sundra or Becky (preferably the former) out and tried to get Ozzy to vote with them. He wouldn't commit.

Adam then approached Yul, the Survivor Godfather Puppetmaster Dude. pleading his case. Yul assured him that he "thought" he'd be okay. When talking to Parvati, Yul told her that he personally thought Adam was a bigger threat while "the others" may consider her the biggest threat. He "thought" she'd be okay. I guess he's the Diplomatic Survivor Godfather Puppetmaster Dude.

When Sundra, Yul, and Becky noticed that Parvati and Adam were working on Ozzy, they put an end to that by casually joining them. They thought Ozzy was still with them, but were worried.

As it turned out, no need to worry. There was no rat or weasel calling at Tribal Council, although many (including Jeff) questioned Yul's motives for returning Jonathan's hat. But the vote went by Aitu clockwork. Adam and Parvati voted for Sundra while all of the ex-Aitu voted for Parvati. Buh-bye, Parvati.

Jeff mentioned that on the finale there would be three Tribal Councils and a surprise. Too bad the twists have hit the fan already, or something to that effect.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' East Coast Update - 12/14 - Boot

Along old Aitu lines, Parvati was voted off. She and Adam voted for Sundra.

A full review/recap will be posted late tonight - c'mon back and chat about the show!

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' East Coast Update - 12/14 - Immunity

Ozzy won Immunity once again.

Don't tell me you're surprised.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' East Coast Update - 12/14 - Reward/Exile

Ozzy won Reward, but 2nd and 3rd place winners, Parvati and Yul, go with him to an overnight luxury spa/feast/alcohol. Ozzy chose to send Adam to Exile Island.

It was muddy!

Tonight's 'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' Blogging

Survivors ready?

I'll be posting major events in East Coast Update entries as they air here in the NYC area. If you think you're not seeing the most recent post, try hitting the December 2006 link in the Archives in the right sidebar.

A full review/recap will be posted late tonight.