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It felt odd not writing up the latest Survivor episode last night. Relaxing, yes. But odd indeed.
Despite the fact that many series have wrapped up and others are in the process of doing so, there are always TV-related Newsy Bits to be found on the Internet.
Here are some of the interesting articles I've come across while poking about:
Thanks to blog reader Sue, here's a great interview with Yau-Man Chan. He's likely to go down in the books as one of the most entertaining, most enjoyable, and smartest contestants ever on Survivor. There are also rumors that he may make a Top Ten appearance on Letterman, but I haven't heard anything concrete about that. Another interview with Yau-Man can be found on IGN.
Ousted American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle was interviewed by Fans of Reality TV.
Despite a commenter making the claim a few days ago that Jericho was picked up for another year, it's cancelled as I posted. More sources here and here. No, I didn't want to see it cancelled, but I researched before I posted the information.
Uh-oh. Next week is the two-hour season finale starting at 9 PM ET/PT. And, we don't know what's up (or not) with John Locke? Is he dead? Alive? I think we'll see that he's alive next week, but that's just a guess on my part. I want to see the battle of wills between Locke and Ben, don't you? The Others seem ready to jump ship and get away from Ben.
This week's episode was Charlie-centric. Is it his time to finally die? After all, Desmond said that the "accidents" won't stop until he's dead. Will he finally stop saving him and let destiny run its course?
In the Flashbacks The flashback sequences were a bit different from the norm. Directly after they were shown, the present-day cut to Charlie had him listing them on a piece of paper. Now, if he were only singing, "Memories, misty water-colored memories..."
In the first one, his band's song started playing on the car radio just as the band was going through bad times and ready to split up. The second one featured a child Charlie at a pool with his father and brother. He's scared of the water and his father kept encouraging him to jump in. "I'll catch you, I promise!" When Charlie jumped in and found out he was alive, he was thrilled with himself.
The third flashback was when his brother gave Charlie the DS ring he wears. It was their grandfather's ring and a family heirloom pass down to your son kind of thing. They used his initials, DS, to create the band name DriveShaft. Charlie's brother thought that Charlie was more likely to settle down and have a family since he (the brother) was so drug-involved. The fourth flashback had Charlie saving Nadia (Sayid's once upon a time lady) from a mugger in an alley outside The Convent. He acted on instinct, got her purse back, and was surprised at his own bravery. She told him he was a hero. "Don't let anyone ever tell you different."
The last flashback was just after the plane crashed... when he met then very pregnant Claire. He reassured her that everything would be okay. They're alive on a beautiful island and a helicopter would soon rescue them. In present day, he listed this memory as "#1 - The night I met you."
On the Island Jack told all of the Flight 815ers that Juliet had told him everything about Ben's plan to kidnap the pregnant women. Juliet tried to fit in as Miss Not An Other telling them that she was leaving the tapes just to look like she was playing along with Ben.
In a bit of an out-of-character move, Danielle Rousseau agreed to work with Jack by retrieving dynamite from the Black Rock slave ship. So, that's what she was doing there last week when Locke was tricking Sawyer into killing his father.
Why would Rousseau do this? She usually keeps to herself and doesn't get involved with happenings which don't directly affect her. And... why did Locke act like it was run-of-the-mill for her to be in the ship getting dynamite? I thought perhaps he knew why she was taking it. But, if it's Jack's plan, Locke wouldn't know about it at this point.
Juliet had been instructed to mark the three tents of pregnant or possibly pregnant women (Sun, Kate, who - my mind must be going unless they want Claire, the ex-pregnant). The plan is to rig those tents with dynamite and blow up the kidnappers.
Sayid took Jack aside and wanted his help. Rousseau's distress signal was interfering with the phone/radio of Naomi's. As he told Jack that they needed to go to the transmitter, Juliet interrupted them. She told them that Ben had all the signals blocked from the underwater Looking Glass Station. She also told them that Ben said the station was flooded and inoperable. (So how does it still block the signals?)
Meanwhile, Charlie knew that Desmond had another one of his visions. He insisted he tell him. Desmond told him that he saw a helicopter rescue Aaron and Claire, but that he (Charlie) had to die in order for it to happen. How should he die this time? By drowning in a hatch with a flashing yellow light while flicking a switch. Desmond didn't know when it would happen and neither was aware of the Looking Glass Station discussion.
Charlie overheard Juliet, Sayid, and Jack discussing the station and how someone needed to go to it, but it would be a suicide mission. Charlie instantly volunteered. Then Karl, Alex's boyfriend, came ashore in an outrigger. He told them that Juliet's one of "them." Um, yeah. They know. He then told them the plans had changed -- the kidnapping would take place tonight. The Others were on the way, ten of them.
Why the change in plans? Six hours previously, Ben returned to his camp after shooting Locke and leaving him in the DHARMA burial ditch. When questioned about where Locke was, he immediately started ordering the change. "If anyone does anything stupid, kill them," Ben ranted. He gave Alex back the gun and Richard seemed very disturbed about the missing Locke and the changes. Alex ran to the woods, gave Karl the gun, and told him to warn them. "You owe them. They saved you," she told him. "But your father will really kill me now!" "Is he my father?" Eep.
So, the 815ers had to change their plans, too. They had three tents set up, needed three guns. Karl gave them Alex's gun. Only the three shooters would remain at camp; the others would all go to the south beach of the island. Sayid insisted it was time for Jack to act like a leader. He should lead them to the radio tower.
Charlie and Desmond took off for the Looking Glass Station, but only after Charlie had some last moments with Claire and baby Aaron. Charlie's destiny must be fulfilled. When Claire took Aaron to leave the campsite with the others, the DS ring was shown in Aaron's crib.
Hurley tried to go with Desmond and Charlie, but Charlie told him he couldn't. When Hurley persisted, Charlie told him he was too big for the boat. He immediately regretted saying it, hugged Hurley and let tears stream from his eyes.
Oh, but then, as Desmond and Charlie were just about over the station, Desmond told Charlie he'd go because Claire and Aaron depended on Charlie. Would he save Charlie once again? Nope. Charlie whacked him on the head with an oar, then swam down to the station. He swam down and into the station, then swam towards light desperately seeking air. He got to the Moon Room of the station, low and behold... above a deck there was air. He collapsed after bringing himself to the walkway.
Only, things aren't exactly right. Nuh-uh. Two heavily-armed women with guns (character names of Greta and Bonnie according to previews) draw down on him.
LOST [thunk]
Hmmm... those women. They either work for Ben or...?
The episode wasn't as good as most have been lately, but I still rate it pretty high. I want to know about Locke's immediate fate (live or die) before January, though. What did you think?
Are you a fan of The Office? Tonight is the big hour-long season finale starting at 8 PM ET/PT, but there's even more going on for you to enjoy!
NBC will be hosting a live-blogging event starting approximately 9 PM ET/6 PM PT. Executive Producer Greg Daniels and B.J. Novak (who plays the character Ryan Howard) will be there. If you want to peek in, check it out on the official NBC blog site. As you peek around there, you'll see last week's deleted beach scenes (oh, my!).
I'm hoping to finally get an embedded video to work on this blog. If all is well, this video should be a 3-minute recap of last week's show. If it isn't working, well you just won't see it because I'll remove it! Heh, that'll show YouTube, eh?
If the video here isn't working right, it's available at this link.
After The Office finale, hang in to watch a preview of Steve Carell's new movie, Evan Almighty. If you're sweet on Steve, or just want to check it out, this website showcases his work.
The show is starting here on the East Coast. I'll be updating this entry as events air here. Refresh or return to this post to catch the latest as I'll almost constantly be updating.
Elliott Yamin and Maroon 5 are on the show tonight. Homer Simpson opened the show, now they're recapping last night.
Talking the tour now.
Ryan is talking to Jordin about between the shows and her trip home. We're getting more video from her trip home. I expect we'll repeat this with Blake and Melinda.
Ryan is going over the judges' reactions with her now, so I think an announcement is coming.
Nope, it was a ploy. Ryan led her up to the moment, then told her she would find out later in the show... as would we.
Returning from commercial... Ryan is introducing the American Idol Challenge winners this week. Of these three finalists, who was not in the final three... Elliot, Kat or Taylor? Silly question as always. The info is on the website.
Ryan is talking to Blake about his trip home now. They're playing Jimi Hendrix "All Along the Watchtower" in the background of the segment. Blake plays to the crowds and camera well. Ryan is going over the judges' reactions with him now, lights dimmed.
Ryan had Blake go sit down and now Elliott Yamin is on stage singing. Wow, what a difference in looks! Randy: Yo, it was hot. Paula: I'm speechless. Simon: It was great. Elliott made a faux-pas and mentioned Porsche. Heh.
Leading into the commercial, Ryan said, "Maroon 5 coming up and Melinda goes home." Don't get in an uproar... I'm sure he means via the video clips like with Blake and Jordin.
No announcement as to who's really going home yet.
The Ford commercial is set to "Everybody Wants You." Why do these always remind me of old Monkees or Beatles bits?
Ryan is talking to Melinda about her trip home now. Simon is bored. Randy has the lights dimmed and is going over the judges' reactions to her songs last night. The results are put off once again as Ryan quick-plugs the new The Band Show and they go to break.
More The Band Show casting info. Maroon 5 is on. I think the song is "Makes Me Wonder." (Correct me if I'm wrong on that title.)
THE RESULTS: Almost 60 million votes. Jordin is safe. It's between Melinda and Blake going home now. Argh. Melinda Doolittle is going home.
The final two are Jordin and Blake. The best singer didn't make it, but will probably have a long and prosperous career.
It's that time of year again. The major broadcast networks are announcing the fall schedules. What shows didn't make the cut? What new shows can we expect? I've poked about the web for the information to pass on to the readers here.
Let's talk CBS first...
Canceled shows (or those not on the fall schedule) include: Jericho (that's going to upset some blog readers), Close to Home, The Class, and The King of Queens.
Returning shows: The Amazing Race (mid-season), Cold Case, 60 Minutes, How I Met Your Mother, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, CSI: Miami, NCIS, The Unit, Criminal Minds, CSI: NY, Survivor, CSI, Shark, Without A Trace, Ghost Whisperer, Numb3rs, 48 Hours Mystery. Just a personal note -- I don't watch or enjoy all of these shows, but I understand all returning except one. Who out there is watching Rules of Engagement? How'd that get renewed?
New shows: Viva Laughlin, Swingtown, Moonlight, Cane, Big Bang Theory, Power of 10, Kid Nation. As time goes on, I'll post more on these shows.
It's on (or not) on NBC...
Canceled or just plain gone: Andy Barker P.I.,Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, The Black Donnellys, The Real Wedding Crashers, Kidnapped, Raines, Crossing Jordan, Grease: You're the One That I Want, Identity, 20 Good Years, Thank God You're Here. Hmmm... nothing I'll miss so much there, I guess. It's too bad Raines wasn't given more of a chance. I was getting into the show. And, I think the messing with the schedule killed Crossing Jordan. I haven't watched it since it left the Sunday night time slot. Although not on this list, it appears The Apprentice will most likely not return... at least not to NBC.
Returning shows: Friday Night Lights, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Deal or No Deal, 30 Rock, The Office, Heroes, Scrubs, ER, The Biggest Loser, Las Vegas, My Name Is Earl, 1 vs. 100, Dateline, Football Night In America, Medium, Saturday Night Live. I know some of the blog readers are going to be gleeful about the FNL renewal! Me? I'm a Law and Order and its franchises fanatic, so I'm happy. I had faith in Heroes and knew that was slated. L&O, I was worried about a bit more.
New shows include: The Bionic Woman, The IT Crowd, Chuck, Journeyman, Life, Lipstick Jungle, The Singing Bee, World Moves, and Heroes: Origins. Again, more on these at a later date.
What can we expect from ABC?
Bye-bye, canceled or just not there: The Nine, Six Degrees, The Great American Dream Vote, Show Me The Money, Day Break, In Case of Emergency, The Knights of Prosperity, What About Brian, George Lopez, According to Jim. Okay, I'm not upset about any of these. I know some blog readers watch What About Brian, though. I'm sorry.
Returning shows: Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, October Road, Notes from the Underbelly, Men In Trees, Brothers & Sisters, Wife Swap, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars, Lost, Supernanny, America's Funniest Home Videos, Boston Legal, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, 20/20, Primetime. Yes, fans... DWTS has a fall season slated!
New shows we can expect to see: Big Shots, Carpoolers, Cashmere Mafia, Eli Stone, Dirty Sexy Money, Cavemen, Miss/Guided, Private Practice, Pushing Daisies, Sam I Am, Women's Murder Club, Oprah's Big Give. I mentioned a while ago that the Geico Cavemen were going to get their own series, so we'll have to see if they're good for more than thirty seconds, eh? There are surely some intriguing show titles here. Of course, more on them in due time.
Keep in mind, these announcements are only about the fall schedule. They don't include the summer programming which is headed our way.
Your reactions? Are your favorite shows returning or are the gone too soon?
It felt odd not writing up the latest Survivor episode last night. Relaxing, yes. But odd indeed.
