TV Newsy Bits - Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Some blog readers will be pleased to know I watched Criminal Minds tonight and enjoyed it once again. To me, the only drawback is that I guessed the real killer and the character's secret much too soon.

What's the buzz?

Well, I poked around that big ol' Internet and found a few television-related Newsy Bits for y'all:

• The Reality TV Calendar website has some Survivor 13: Cook Islands spoilers... or not. In reading the article, it seems the writer's sources even have conflicting information. So, it's dueling spoilers, if it's spoilers at all. If you're anti-spoiler, don't go there. But, if you want food for thought, visit the page.
• In this article from The Windy City Times, Survivor contestant Brad Virata talks about his sexuality (which was never mentioned on the show) and gives some behind-the-scenes insight into the experience.
• In yet another Survivor-related article, Adam Gentry's hometown wonders if he'll make the cut.
• Actor Peter Boyle died today at the age of 71. While this AOL News story goes into detail, I have to admit that I was never a fan of Everybody Loves Raymond (some of us didn't). However, I was a fan of his due to his work on both Joe and Taxi Driver. He did a tremendous job with both movies. May he rest in peace.
• Reality News Online (RNO) has up the latest transcripts from the Amazing Race 10 Insider videos from the CBS website. Although the show is over, they're still interesting and add some tidbits we didn't get to see on television.
• TV News- Reality Show Pays Suspects to Air Faces - AOL News - Yikes. I don't know what to say about that one!

Today's "I Heard It On TV" Quote: "Homicide needs no metaphor. Homicide just is." - Frank Pembleton (Andre Braugher) on Homicide: Life on the Street

'Amazing Race 10' 'Bama Mom's Home Burglarized

On The Amazing Race 10, we found out that Lyn Turk is a strong-willed woman who really didn't let much get in her way. Not as outspoken as her team member Karlyn, Lyn was easier for fans to enjoy.

After all, both women had a lot of gumption to make it as the first all-female team ever to be in the Final Three on the show. And, I didn't see too much going really easy for them. Despite any qualms about their outspoken and blunt ways, they ran a good race and went much farther than I ever thought they would go.

One of the aspects which drove the team is that both women are single mothers, making it on their own.

Now the fame of being on the show may have made things a bit tougher for Lyn and her family. According to their local CBS affiliate in Alabama, Lyn's house was burglarized and it looks like the thieves took everything they could get.

An excerpt from the WIAT TV article I read:

Last week, just days before traveling to New York for the finale weekend, she came home to find her house in shambles.

"The house was wide open. Someone had forced their way through the front door, everything was in the floor, nothing was untouched, even food out of the cabinets, and taken the plumbing from under the house," said Turk.

The burglars had busted through two sets of doors to enter the home, and pillaged nearly everything inside.

"They literally pulled out everything. I mean its stuff out the closet, stuff out the drawers, it was stuff in this cabinet and you can see where they dusted for prints over there," said Turk.

Numerous items were stolen, including her son's play-station, and valuable copper pipes under the home.

Sigh, how horrible is that just before the holidays? She didn't win a heck of a lot of money on the show coming in third. Yet, the bit of fame cost her so much.

Sneak Peek: TNT's Original Holiday Movie 'A Perfect Day'

TNT's new original holiday movie A Perfect Day brings about one warning that's always nagged at the back of my mind - be careful what you wish for. Fame? Fortune? What changes might they bring about and what might be the ultimate cost?

The story is a bit reminiscent of both It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol wrapped up in modern day tidings with a twist or two along the way.

Rob Lowe plays Rob Harlan, recently fired from his job and suddenly a best-selling book author. His fame and fortune come at the cost of his family and friends. All through the story, he's "stalked" by Christopher Lloyd who plays a character named Michael. To me, Michael's both the Ghost of Christmas Past and what will be the Ghost of Christmas Future if Rob doesn't get his act together and realize what's important in life.

And, what's that? Well, of course, love. Not the love of money, but the love of family, the love of friends.

As a writer-type, I've always had those dreams of fantastic success with a huge book deal that would change my life. So, the character of Rob Harlan hit a particular chord with me. The whirlwind book tours, the movie deals, and the fame! What wouldn't be wonderful about all of those things? Well, they wouldn't be so wonderful if they changed who I am, such as they did to Rob Harlan.

It sounds a bit like the schmaltzy-holiday-family-love-returns films which proliferate during the holiday season and to an extent, it is one. However, I enjoyed watching this one. It's a bit of a different take on the theme, and presents a believable and touching story. There's nothing wrong with the genre during the holiday season, for sure. Perhaps when we view a film like this, we can think of our own lives and take inventory of what we think should be important.

A Perfect Day will premiere Monday, December 18, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on TNT. If you miss it, there are encores later that evening at 10 p.m. and midnight. It will also air on December 20, 22, and 24. Check your local listings and set that VCR, TIVO, or DVR. This is a rewarding and well-presented film which makes fine holiday fare.

Besides Rob Lowe and Christopher Lloyd, the cast includes Paget Brewster (Rob's wife, Allyson), Frances Conroy (his first agent), Rowena King (evil, evil Heather - watch and you'll see why I say that), and Meggie Geisland (daughter Carson). For more information about the movie, you can also check on TNT's website.

TV Newsy Bits - Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Did you know that on December 12, a certain Frank Sinatra was born onto us? Yes, he was born 12/12/15. I had to Google the year, but I knew the month and day as it's also my brother's birthday. He was born a heck of a lot of years after 1915, though.

Just a sidenote: Today Google's image atop the search is of Edvard Munch's "The Scream." I don't know why, maybe too much pressure during the holiday season. Oh, wait. I just peeked again. Happy birthday Frank, Edvard and bro' Bryan. Munch was born in 1863. A century later, my brother was born.

Enough of that. What's the scoop on television stuff? Here are the TV Newsy Bits I found while roaming the web today:

• TV Tattler has posted an interview with James and Tyler, the latest Amazing Race millionaires. Or, I guess, half-millionaires as they split the winnings.
• According to Celebrity Spider, the season finale of The Amazing Race was a ratings winner.
• Is Zach (Claire's "save the cheerleader, save the world" friend) on Heroes gay? Is he no longer gay? Have the producers abandoned that part of the storyline? Maybe the Haitian wiped that part of his memory? It's all a brouhaha with the series creator chipping in over at the AfterElton website. Me? It doesn't really make a difference. Most teenagers are exploring who they are, after all.
• Speaking of Heroes, I notice that Milo Ventimiglia, the actor who plays Peter Petrelli, is co-starring as the son in Rocky Balboa, the new Stallone movie. His hair is shorter and greasier, but it's still a bit odd.
• Huh. The Netherlands is the first place to go completely digital and is retiring analog television (that which you receive with an antenna). I have basic cable here, but it's much more costly than $18.50 a month.
• TVGuide.com has Survivor 13: Cook Islands finale shockers. Wowsers. I'm eagerly anticipating Thursday's show and the finale/reunion on Sunday. For a season which was supposed to be so racially-charged, it fell away from that controversy. I wouldn't call it the best season ever. In my mind, that honor goes to the first season when all was fresh and new. But I liked the diversity of peoples this season. It's so much easier to remember who everyone is when they don't all look like pale model-types.
• I'm watching Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas right now as I write this. I haven't watched the show in a decade or so and tonight's ABC showing is an expanded hour for a special 40th anniversary. I also can't believe it's 40 years old. Eep. I recall a 7th grade English teacher giving bonus points if we correctly answered "Who carved the roast beast?" on our midterm. Most misread it and were thinking a Dickens tale. I knew it was the Grinch and that I had a slightly quirky English teacher.

Today's Personally Noted TV Quote of the Day: "Maybe it's French. Maybe it's Italian. Maybe it's Fritalian." - Dunkin Donuts commercial.

TV Newsy Bits - Monday, December 11, 2006

Sigh. TV viewing seemed so empty without Heroes tonight. Yes, I watched How I Met Your Mother (yet another good episode), The Class (a fair episode) and Two and 1/2 Men (a funny episode). But, but... I feel so, so bereft of Heroes. Yeah, that's it! Where have all the Heroes gone? Where have all the cowboys gone? Ah, well. I have 10 Items or Less on (TBS) and that show makes me smile.

Here are the TV Newsy Bits of the day:

• Some folks in comments have been asking about the teams selected for the upcomng Amazing Race 11: All Stars. I made a few posts mentioning some of the teams a while ago - here and even here. From what I've found online, it looks like Romber and the Guidos are in, but no BJ/Tyler or Frat Boys (season one).
• The CBS website has changed the guest listing for David Letterman this week. Despite what I previously posted (which I took from their site), now Bette Midler isn't mentioned and Clint Eastwood is in her place on the Friday show.
• I got home from work today to find a FedEx slip on my door. I'm guessing another press kit/screener - I'll let you know. Hmmm, maybe someone is sending me a plasma television or something. (Yeah, right.)
• Celebrity Spider is reporting that Sarah Ferguson (the ex-Duchess of York) has indeed signed up to be on the next Dancing With the Stars. I think she'll dance better than Jerry Springer did, don't you?
• Media Fiends has up a transcript of James and Tyler on The Early Show this morning. It's a bit hard to read and filled with ampersands, but it's the only one I see out there right now. I missed the show.
  

Holiday Television Programming - This Week Monday to Friday (Dec. 11-15)

Remember back to your childhood when it took absolutely forever for Christmas to arrive? Ah, but that's not the way of the adult world, is it? We blink and the holiday is right around the corner, blink again and it's here. Without further ado, here are some of the television specials, holiday movies, and more that I found through to Friday, December 15. Keep in mind that my list isn't everything that's out and about on the tube -- I don't include premium cable programming, nor local programming outside of the NYC area. You may want to check your local listings in addition to checking this list.

Monday, December 11:

• Although I won't be making specific entries for them, keep in mind that shopping networks such as QVC and HSN are full of gift ideas and marketing throughout the week.
• Weekday shows Rachael Ray, Ellen DeGeneres, and Martha (amongst others) will have holiday content throughout the week.
• Noon ET/PT - Lifetime - Call Me Claus (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - A Different Kind of Christmas (movie)
• 7 & 10 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Mary Poppins (movie)
• 8 & 10:15 PM ET/PT - TNT - The Wizard of Oz (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - CBS - How I Met Your Mother - "How Lily Stole Christmas"
• 9 PM ET/PT - NBC - The Year Without a Santa Claus (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - A Christmas Wedding (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - TLC - Crazy Christmas Lights
• 10 PM ET/PT - TVLand - 100 Greatest TV Quotes and Catchphrases - new episodes all this week.

Tuesday, December 12:

• 11 AM ET/PT - AMC - Miracle on 34th Street (movie)
• Noon ET/PT - Lifetime - Holiday in Your Heart (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Home for the Holidays (movie)
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC - How the Grinch Stole Christmas: 40th Anniversary Special Edition (narrated by Boris Karloff)
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Santa Baby (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - USA - Elf (movie)
• 10 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Pinocchio's Christmas

Wednesday, December 13:

• Noon ET/PT - Lifetime - Christmas in My Hometown (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Santa Who? (movie)
• 4 PM ET/PT - USA - Elf (movie)
• 7 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Rudolph's Shiny New Year
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (movie)
• 10 PM ET/PT - CBS - C.S.I. NY - "Silent Night"
• 10 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Jack Frost
• 10 & 11 PM ET/PT - TNT - Christmas in Washington 2006
• 10 & 11 PM ET/PT - Bravo - Top Chef - "Holiday Spirit"

Thursday, December 14:

• Noon ET/PT - Lifetime - If You Believe (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Stolen Miracle (movie)
• 4 PM ET/PT - HGTV - Decorating Cents Home For the Holidays
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Little Drummer Boy
• 7:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Little Drummer Boy: Book II
• 8 PM ET/PT - NBC - The Office - "A Benihana Christmas"
• 8 & 10:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - The Polar Express (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - Bravo - Christmas in Rockefeller Center
• 9 PM ET/PT - TBS - Seinfeld - "The Strike" (Festivus episode)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Crazy for Christmas (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade Holiday
• 9 PM ET/PT - Bravo - A Clay Aiken Christmas
• 10 PM ET/PT - TLC - Holiday Blunders
• 10 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Nigella Bites Christmas Special

Friday, December 15:

• 10 AM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Charlotte's Web (animated movie)
• Noon ET/PT - Lifetime - Like Father, Like Santa (movie)
• Noon ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure (animated movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Christmas on Chestnut Street (movie)
• 7 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• 7 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - The Year Without a Santa Claus
• 8 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
• 8:30 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Bill and Mandy Save Christmas
• 9 PM ET/PT - PAX - Christmas Eve (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Mr. St. Nick (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of the Misfit Toys
• 10:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'The Amazing Race 10' Season Finale

And, so it's over. The next season will be the All Stars season and should air in the spring. It's currently filming.

Tonight's finale took a look back at all of the teams. While it seems not much time has gone by, some of the teams seemed to be such distant past. Duke and Lauren? Tom and Terry? Yikes! I forgot I had hoped they'd make it near the end! Now they're such history that they seem like they're from a previous season.

Three teams remain. In tonight's season finale, one team will win a million dollars and The Amazing Race.

After the brief memory jog through the teams and some of the countries, the show opened where we last left the remaining three teams - Barcelona, Spain. Rob and Kimberly, who had been the first to arrive, were the first to leave at 11:09 p.m. Lyn/Karlyn ('Bama Moms) had to wait until 11:44 while the BoyToys (Tyler and James) left last at 11:53.

The teams had to find a church in Barcelona that's been under construction for 124 years, the Sagrada Familia. It was actually a fairly easy place to find as it's quite famous. However, the kicker was they had to search a park behind the church for their next clue. The 'Bama Moms were still searching as the other teams hit the airport looking for flights to Paris.

In what looks like a purely typical touristy move, teams had to go to the third floor of the Eiffel Tower for their next clue. Why? I can only think it was so that the Eiffel Tower would be included in the show. When all three teams gathered at the airport, Rob and Kimberly snagged the only available seats on the quickest flight to Paris landing at the Charles de Gaulle International Airport. Tyler and James, much to the disgust of Rob/Kimberly, managed to get on the fight last minute. But the 'Bama's couldn't get aboard. However, they ended up with a flight which landed at Orly, which happens to be much closer to the Eiffel Tower than de Gaulle is.

All teams ended up on the same train to Caen where they hit a Roadblock - a task only one member of the team can complete. In this one, "Who's ready to storm the beach," both team members played a bit of a role. The main task was a tandem skydive with a guide which had to be completed by the one. But the other team member also went up in the plane which nosedived along with the skydiver for a while.

The Roadblock gave Rob something new to fuss at Kimberly about - he wanted to skydive and it was her task. Wah, wah, fuss, bicker. I can't help but wonder how the ChoBros would have done with this Roadblock as they had such a fear of heights.

Despite what seemed to be a jump on Rob and Kimberly by the BoyToys and 'Bama Moms, all three teams were once again on the same train back to Paris and a Detour. The Detour, a choice between two tasks to be completed by both team members, was Art or Fashion. In Art, teams had to pick up then walk a painting to get their next clue. In Fashion, teams had to create a jacket using a mannequin, then get approval from a designer.

All three teams chose Fashion for some reason. I personally would have thought that to be the harder task. The BoyToys did great. 'Bama Moms thought the fashion designer was the Fashion Gestapo and could only say "no." Rob was all frustrated as Kimberly took over the task and didn't let him do anything. So, he fussed more about not getting to skydive.

Whne the clue received instructed them to fly to New York City, 'Bama Moms made an error which cost them the race. They went back to the Orly Airport while the other teams went to the Charles de Gaulle. Orly has no flights to NYC, so they had to double back and ended up not making the same flight as Rob/Kimberly and the BoyToys. We never saw the 'Bama Moms again until the Finish Line.

The teams were instructed to get their next clue at the "News building with the big globe." Here's the part of the Race I loved because it's my territory. That's the The News Building on East 42nd Street - the model for the Daily Planet building of Superman fame and the original home of the New York Daily News. From there they had to walk (yikes) about two miles down to the East Village armed with a photo of a sculpture. Hey, I know that spinning sculpture! I never knew its name before tonight, but it's the Alamo. It's on Astor Place and Lafayette not far from where the Blue Man Group plays.

From there, it was a race between the BoyToys and Rob/Kimberly to taxicab on up to Garrison, a town in Putnam county about 40 miles north of NYC. I'm familiar with where the town is as I lived about 10 miles north of there a few decades ago. But I didn't know the Pit Stop location - St. Basil's Academy.

The BoyToys, James and Tyler, hit the Pit Stop first. Not long after came Rob and Kimberly. It's unknown how much later the 'Bama Moms arrived, but they made it.

Okay. I wasn't too thrilled with any of the final three teams. I guess the BoyToys were the most deserving of the three as they consistently raced the best race of the three. They didn't fight as much as Rob and Kimberly, and weren't as nasty as Karlyn from 'Bama Moms was at times.

The season brought about a first - the first all-female team to make the final three. I bet Lyn and Karlyn's children are beaming. It also brought about a second - the second year in a row that a guy named Tyler won. I liked the other Tyler better.

Overall? I was entertained. I'll be watching and writing about the next season, for sure.

Oh. And Phil Keoghan (the host) is still adorable with great eyes.

I'm allowed to be shallow, aren't I? After all, I write about television shows. I'm not trying for a Pulitzer.

'The Amazing Race 10' East Coast Finale Update - Winners

Tyler and James just won.

Rob and Kim, second.

Bama way not there. They arrived, no idea on time span.

Tonight's 'The Amazing Race 10' Finale Blogging Schedule

Football coverage caused 60 Minutes to start approximately 10 minutes late here in the NYC area. As a result, East Coast updates including the winner, will be posted about ten minutes later than expected. So, look for the winner at approximately 9:10 PM ET right here. It may help to hit the December 2006 Archive link on the right sidebar if you think you're not seeing the most recent post.

A full review/recap will be posted late tonight.

TV Newsy Bits - Sunday, December 10, 2006

Don't forget... tonight is the big season finale for The Amazing Race 10, set to start after 60 Minutes on CBS in most viewing areas. I'm not sure if it will be delayed by football which happens more often than not here in the NYC viewing area. I'll make a quick post a bit later whether it's starting on time here or not, and then I'll post an East Coast Update as the winner is announced on the show. Keep in mind, TAR, unlike Survivor, is always an hour-long finale. Next week's Survivor finale and reunion show is set to take up the entire Sunday night primetime programming block on CBS.

In other TV Newsy Bits:

• Celebrity Spider has location spoilers for tonight's Amazing Race finale, no winner spoilers are in the article.
• How well do you know The Amazing Race? AOL has an Amazing Race Trivia Test up and running. You don't have to be an AOL member to give it a shot. How do you think I did?
• I received a few neat screeners this week. TBS sent me a box mostly filled with a promotional helium balloon (which is driving my cat crazy as it drifts around the apartment) and a DVD for The Funniest Commercials of the Year 2006, set to air December 27. TNT sent me a press kit with a screener for A Perfect Day (a TNT original holiday-themed movie) with Rob Lowe, which will air next Monday night, December 18. I'll be posting separate sneak peeks on both of those soon.

Since I dragged out the vinyl last week due to Sunday Morning and its Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam segment on CBS and this morning, they had Johnny Mathis on... I hit up my vinyl collection once again today.

My Vinyl Non Sequitur Soundless Byte for the day is:
"Time is on my side, yes it is. You'll come runnin' back, you'll come runnin' back to me..." - From "Time is on My Side" - the vinyl is Hot Rocks by The Rolling Stones. This song also brings back visions of the movie Fallen with Denzel Washington, John Goodman and Donald Sutherland. I can see the shackled killer dancing to the song now every time I hear it. Yipes. That's an excellent movie.

Pants in Every Pot, This Week's 'Late Show with David Letterman' Guests - Dec. 11 - 15

After a week of much too recently aired repeats, Late Show with David Letterman is brand-pants-spanking new this week! Will this week bring about the annual Late Show Christmas tree? I guess we'll just watch and see!

Here's a look at the guests we'll be seeing this week:

• Monday (Dec. 11): Matt Damon (The Good Shepherd) and Barbara Walters. I think Barbara Walters has a crush on Dave, don't you?
• Tuesday (Dec. 12): Howard Stern and Gwen Stefani. The latter will be promoting her new CD, The Sweet Escape. The former will probably be promoting himself, as is his usual practice. Oh, he'll probably promote Sirius, too.
• Wednesday (Dec. 13): Regis Philbin, Kid Scientists, and musical guest Robert Randolph (Colorblind). I'm notching this one. I love it when Regis is on the show and the Kid Scientists segments are always a lot of fun. It's a great time of year for the kids to come to NYC for the first time, too.
• Thursday (Dec. 14): Will Smith, promoting his new movie The Pursuit of Happyness. If you don't know the background of the film, it's very interesting and rewarding. Check it out! Musical guest is Evanescence, CD is The Open Door.
• Friday (Dec. 15): Bette Midler, CD is Cool Yule, and Matthew Fox from Lost. Could this be Tree Night? It seems late, but she did do the Rockefeller Tree special and she's top-billed over Matthew Fox. I guess we'll find out.

TV Newsy Bits - Saturday, December 9, 2006

It's hard to believe that yesterday marked the 26th anniversary of the shooting death of John Lennon. I somehow remembered the day before was the anniversary of Pearl Harbor (which I obviously wasn't around to experience), but didn't think of John Lennon until late last evening. It was too cold to go to the gathering in Central Park, but I lighted a candle here.

Yesterday was also an odd commute day for me. My morning was greeted with a notice on my train seat which said that Homeland Security would be conducting practice exercises from 4 to 8 p.m., but saying schedules wouldn't be affected. That's nice. I needed a reminder that the NJ Transit trains are likely targets of terrorism just before the holidays. It's a very different world from the one I once knew.

Ah, well... onto the TV Newsy Bits:

• Lots of Survivor news is out and about! Richard Hatch has appealed his conviction claiming conspiracy. In an interview by Reality News Online, Jonathan (the recent castoff) believes he was playing a "rational" game. RNO also transcribed his The Early Show appearance. Celebrity Spider reports that Survivor 14: Fiji is still filming despite a military coup. We can expect to see that season spring 2007.
• Reality News Online has also transcribed the latest The Amazing Race Insider videos from the CBS website. See what we didn't see behind the scenes before we see the finale show tomorrow night.
• AOL Television News reports that even though rumors abound, Rosie O'Donnell won't be leaving The View.

'Blue Man Group: Inside the Tube'

The other night, I briefly touched on the fact that I was watching The Blue Man Group: Inside the Tube on the local PBS affiliate - WNET, Channel 13, NYC. The show was a part of the station's annual fund drive.

In poking about the Web, I found that the show is being aired as part of the fund drive for many PBS stations throughout the country. So, if you're a fan of BMG, or even if you're not, check your local PBS listings. If they're in a fund drive period, you may be able to see the show.

Inside the Tube combines interviews with Blue Man Group creators Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton, segments featuring actual shows in Las Vegas and New York City, and footage of The Complex rock show tour.

Watching the show reminded me of what it's like to see them live at the Astor Place Theatre and how I should really go again. While the seating and knee room at the theatre is woefully lacking, the excitement, energy, and thought-provoking entertaining sensory overload makes the show a worthwhile night out. If you're near the NYC, Chicago, Boston or Las Vegas areas, it's not a cheap ticket show, but it's money well spent to experience them live. They're amazing.

And, if you aren't near one of the cities where the Blue Men "reside," then this 90-minute show is the next best thing to seeing them live.

Are you paying attention? If you're paying attention, please yell. Can I get a one-handed fist pump, please? Oh, and I like Cap'n Crunch.

Holiday Television Programming - This Weekend, December 9 - 10

Oh, no! Did you realize it's Christmas just two weeks from Monday? Is all of your holiday shopping done? If it is, then you can relax and watch holiday television programming while sipping hot chocolate and not feel guilty about hiding from the maddening crowds. Even if you haven't finished your shopping, it may be good to shop online and stay home to watch television, right?

Here's the scoop on what's on this weekend... keep in mind that it's not all-inclusive and you might want to check for programs specific to your local areas:

Saturday, December 9:

• QVC and HSN holiday shopping is in full swing for the whole weekend.
• 9 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - Ruldoph and Frosty's Christmas in July (animated movie)
• 9 AM ET/PT - TVLand - That Girl all-weekend marathon begins
• 9 AM ET/PT - BRAVO - Six Feet Under mini-marathon begins (ends at 2 PM)
• 11 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
• 11 AM ET/PT - A&E - Karroll's Christmas (movie)
• Noon ET/PT - ABC Family - The Story of the First Christmas Snow
• 12:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Hester the Donkey
• 1 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Miracle on the 17th Green (movie)
• 1 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Pinocchio's Christmas
• 2 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Jack Frost
• 2 PM ET/PT - TNT - The Librarian: Quest for the Spear
• 3 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Christmas Child (movie)
• 3 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Frosty's Winter Wonderland
• 3 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Paula's Southern Christmas
• 3:30 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
• 4 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Rudolph's Shiny New Year
• 4 PM ET/PT - Food Network - All Star Holiday Gifts
• 4 PM ET/PT - TNT - The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines
• 5 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Christmas in My Hometown (movie)
• 5 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - The Year Without a Santa Claus
• 6 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
• 7 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Home for the Holidays (movie)
• 7 PM & 9:30 ET/PT - ABC Family - The Polar Express (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - TNT - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - ABC - Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Holiday Affair (movie)
• 10 PM ET/PT - TLC - Crazy Christmas Lights
• 10:15 PM ET/PT - AMC - Prancer (movie)

Sunday, December 10:

• Midnight ET/PT - Lifetime - A Very Cool Christmas (movie)
• Midnight ET/PT - ABC Family - Home Alone 4 (movie)
• Midnight ET/PT - Food Network - Nigella Bites Christmas Special
• 1 AM ET/PT - Food Network - A Barefoot Contessa Holiday
• 8 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - To Grandmother's House We Go (movie)
• 8 AM ET/PT - Food Network - All Star Holiday Cookies
• 10 AM ET/PT - ABC Family - A Mom for Christmas (movie)
• 11 AM ET/PT - WGN - It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
• 11 AM ET/PT - Lifetime - Secret of Giving (movie)
• Noon ET/PT - ABC Family - Santa Claus: The Movie
• 12:30 PM ET/PT - AMC - Cheaper by the Dozen (original with Myrna Loy)
• 1 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - His and Her Christmas (movie)
• 2 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Scrooged (movie)
• 3 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Noel (movie)
• 4 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Chasing Christmas (movie)
• 5 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - On the 2nd Day of Christmas (movie)
• 5 PM ET/PT - Food Network - Paula's Southern Christmas
• 6 PM ET/PT - Cartoon Network - Casper's Haunted Christmas (movie)
• 6 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Snow (movie)
• 6 PM ET/PT - AMC - Miracle on 34th Street (movie)
• 7 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Call Me Claus (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - MY9 (NYC) - Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights (movie)
• 8 & 10 PM ET/PT - ABC Family - Santa Baby (movie)
• 8 & 10:15 PM ET/PT - AMC - Prancer (movie)
• 8 PM ET/PT - HGTB - The White House Christmas 2006
• 8 PM ET/PT - TNT - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - Lifetime - Christmas on Chesnut Street (movie)
• 9 PM ET/PT - HGTV - What's With That Christmas House?

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - Ep. 12 -or- "Something is afoot."

Remember, we have one more episode to go next Thursday night and then the big finale and reunion show is Sunday, December 17. And, look at the numbers. After tonight there are six left. Rumors are abounding. Will there be a double eviction? Will there be a Final Three vying for the win instead of a Final Two? And, what about the Jury? If there is an even number, there could be a tie. I guess we'll see a week from Sunday!

Seven are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

The show opened with Jonathan listing the names he was called at the recent Tribal Council. You know - rat, weasel, a cancer. He's not a happy rat.

But the focus soon switched to Parvati. She was chopping at a coconut with a machete and really sliced open her thumb, right through the nail. Despite the relative severity of the wound, she handled it well. But, then again, that's the kind of wound which is going to hurt a lot more a day or two later than right as it happens. Medics were called and she had a stitch or two and did (or will) lose the nail (or most of it). Remind me not to chop my coconuts with my handy kitchen machete, please.

The sore thumb didn't hold her back during the Reward Challenge, though. Jeff surprised the castaways with family members who ended up participating in the challenge. It was a water relay where the castaways, blindfolded, had to fill up a small bucket from the ocean. Their respective loved ones, not blindfolded, would guide them to throw the water into a bucket they each held. Then the loved ones would dump the contents into a larger bucket which, when filled, would raise a flag. It ended up looking more like a water fight that a bucket brigade. And, Parvati won it with her father as her partner.

She got to choose someone to go to Exile Island. Not a surprise at all, she chose Jonathan. Then Jeff turned the tables and had her father choose two other castaways and their guests to go to a huge fried chicken picnic held in a sacred cave with locals. Since he didn't know who his daughter liked or not, he was in a spot. I think he went for the guests he liked, not the castaways. He chose Adam and his father and Sundra and her Mom.

"I call him George because he's my best friend," said Adam of his father. Um, okay. If that makes you happy, Adam, go for it.

With Jonathan off at Exile Island, the group remaining at camp -- Yul, Becky, Ozzy -- found it was very peaceful. They decided that they should hide the food from Adam and Parvati. Since Ozzy is the main food provider from fish to coconuts, he resented those two winning anything when he's feeding them. So they threw all the fruit into the woods.

At the feast, Sundra did her best to fit in, make friends, and influence people even though she was eating with the enemy. Of course, Adam and Parvati were working on their own influencing pushing their anti-Jonathan agenda. It looked like Sundra was liking them more and more, but would her allies take them under their wing?

Sure enough, they did! It was the food. Adam and Parvati brought back a feast for those who remained at camp. Now, I found this a bit odd. In previous seasons, they had to smuggle smidgens from a Rewards feast back to those who remained at camp. Adam and Parvati brought full meals for everyone including themselves. And, it was all eaten without Jonathan. Becky, in a confessional, commented on how peaceful everything was without Jonathan, but with Parvati and Adam.

The seeds have been planted.

The Immunity Challenge was a Built For Ozzy water obstacle course that the castaways had to run through twice collecting bundles of sticks. Then they had to form a pole with the retrieved sticks and hook two rings way up high. First in with the rings won. Ozzy ran over the barrels which knocked others out; folks were slip-sliding all over the course. The only one who was anywhere near Ozzy was Yul and he took some good falls. But, in the end, Ozzy won Immunity, so he's safe from Tribal Council. And, since Yul has the Immunity Idol from Exile Island, we know he's safe, too.

Returning to camp, Jonathan knew something has changed. "Something is afoot. I know it. Something has shifted." He was right. In his absence, Adam and Parvati had worked their way in with the ex-Aitu members better than Jonathan fit in with them.

Jonathan worked the girls. "Are we still cool? Are we voting Adam out tonight?" They mumbled some sort of affirmative mumble. Then Jonathan went for Yul. "I saved you! I was loyal." Yul mumbled a bit, too. Adam also approached Yul and pleaded his case. Yul talked to Becky and they thought that Adam and Jonathan should go away as soon as possible and then they would need to think about Ozzy as he's way too strong a competitor. In a confessional spot, Yul likened his own position to a "Godfather ordering a hit."

At Tribal Council, there was more finger-pointing and weasel-calling of Jonathan, more smug replies from Jonathan, and not as much camera-mugging from Nathan. In the end, all voted out Jonathan except for Jonathan himself. He voted for Adam.

I think Jonathan's demeanor at Tribal Council didn't help his cause any. He acted like ex-Aitu owed him. I'm personal wary of the vote. Adam can win challenges; Jonathan couldn't (or hasn't). Adam has plenty of friends on the jury who would vote for him in a Final Two situation; Jonathan has no friends on the jury. The only reasoning in keeping Adam over Jonathan would be a peer pressure kind of thing -- "Look, we voted out Jonathan for peace." I don't know. I think it wasn't the best choice. Adam while they could get him gone would be better for Yul, Becky, Ozzy, and Sundra.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' East Coast Update - 12/07 - Boot

Jonathan was voted out tonight. A full review/recap will be posted later.

I personally think a huge mistake was made - Adam should have been voted off. But I'll get into that in the review/recap. Stop on back!

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' East Coast Update - 12/07 - Immunity

Ozzy won Immunity.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' East Coast Update - 12/07 - Reward

Although Parvati sliced open her thumb, she won Reward. Family members participated. She chose to send Jonathan to Exile Island. Her Dad chose two castaways/family members to go with them to a picnic with locals at a native cave. He chose Sundra and her mother, Adam and his father.

Tonight's 'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' Blogging

The show will start here soon. I'll be posting East Coast updates as important events on the show happen (Immunity, Boot, etc.). If you're not seeing the most recent post or think you're not, try hitting the December 2006 link under Archives in the right sidebar. A full review/recap will be posted later tonight, so please stop back!

TV Newsy Bits - Wednesday, December 6, 2006

What's happening on the television and entertainment scene?

What's the scoop, the skinny, and the story?

Here's what I found peeking around the Internet today:

• Rene Syler (not to be confused with Sylar the Brain-Eating Watch Repairman from Heroes) will be leaving The Early Show according to this AOL News article. Since so many of the blog readers here are probably more into The Early Show than into Today due to the Survivor, Amazing Race, and Big Brother coverage on the show, I thought this was worthy of a mention. I'll miss her, but as long as Harry Smith sticks around (and the ChenBot, of course) I'm okay with it.
• According to several online sources, when Lost returns in early February, it will be in the 10 PM ET/PT timeslot. From what I read, there are a few reasons for the change. First and foremost, they don't seem to want it to be up against American Idol for some odd reason. Heh, no one wants to be against that. As a viewer of AI and Lost, I'm glad to hear of the change. There's also the reasoning that it may increase their 11 PM news ratings. Um, okay.
• I'm currently watching (and taping) Blue Man Group: Inside the Tube on WNET, the NYC PBS affiliate. It's not as good as being there, but lots of fantastic BMG performances. May I have your attention, please? Please yell if you are paying attention. Give BMG some love!