Better Than Big Pants, Coming This Week On Letterman

I must confess. I have to confess.

I love David Letterman.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TV Newsy Bits - Sunday, November 12, 2006

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

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

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

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

David and Mary Conley of 'The Amazing Race 10'

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

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

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

TV Newsy Bits - Friday, November 10, 2006

It's Friday night, Meerkat Manor night!

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

In other TV Newsy Bits:

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

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

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

Twelve are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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