The Amazing Race 14: Meet the Teams, Part Three

Okay, we're down to the last three teams we'll be seeing on the season premiere next Sunday, February 15. You can check out the first two groups of teams I took a look at here and here. Again, I apologize for the slow load time due to all of the videos on the main blog page. If you're having problems with the videos, try using the time link at the bottom of the post which will bring up only that post.



Linda and Steve Cole have been married for 17 years. She's 52, he's 43, and they call Martinsville (Virginia) their home. He's a carpenter while she's a customer service supervisor. I think they're going to be another likable team. But I'm not so sure that they're going to be as well-traveled as many of the other teams. In their favor is that they're huge fans of the show. I think the idea of adventure probably is as much of a lure as the financial prize for the winner. I'd personally love to do the show all the way through just for the fun and excitement.



We have another sibling team with LaKisha and Jennifer Hoffman. LaKisha is 28, lives in the Bronx (NY), and is a program coordinator. Jennifer is 24, lives in Louisville (KY), and is a marketing assistant. Although LaKisha has that "you know what I'm saying" speech pattern which tends to irk me, I like these two. I love that Jennifer said you have to think to be evil and she doesn't like to think that much. I think they're going to be fun to watch, but I'm not sure how well they'll fare on the race itself.



Jennifer Hopka (26) and Preston McCamy (28) are a dating couple from Columbia, South Carolina. She's a student and he's a software engineer. Um, okay. She's a student at 28 ... wonder how the bills get paid? She's pretty, but she's really rubbing me wrong for some reason. I don't know. Perhaps it's the way she kept interrupting him in the clip. I think this might be the couple I boo and it's going to be because of her. Or, I could be totally wrong and my first impression is off.

Survivor Tocantins Castaways Part Three

Welcome to the last group of castaways! Once again, I apologize for the slow-loading pages with all the videos. Once I get the last group in for The Amazing Race, the huge video pages will start to drop off the main page and the blog will load quicker. If things aren't loading right for you, try going by individual post. It seems that the CBS videos are causing a lag time. Parts one and two can be found here and here on the blog. Onto the castaways ...



Spencer Duhm (must have been fun growing up with that last name!) at 19 years old is the youngest castaway ever on the show. He's a gay student from Lakeland, Florida. While he comes across as very mature in his video, I'm not so sure he's my favorite for the win. Yes, he's very poised and seems to have a good head on his shoulders. But I have some sort of nagging doubt about him that I can't explain. I'll have to watch him in action.



Stephen Fishbach, age 29, is a corporate consultant from NYC, NY. When he said he looks like a Muppet, I had to snicker. I'm all too aware of a soul-sucking job and wanting just to go away from it all to write. But has he really paid his dues? I mean ... Yale and only 29. I'm sorry. I don't think the rat race has claimed enough of his soul yet for an early retirement. That aside, if his strategy works as he's planned, he could go far in the game. His thoughts of being eaten are a bit off base. That is unlikely to happen on the show. But could he win? Maybe, but maybe not.



Look! It's SYDNEY! Yay! Blond and into fashion and design ... kind of like our own blog Sydney, eh? This Sydney (Wheeler) is 24 and from Raleigh, North Carolina. I'm kind of liking her. She's a very pretty girl, but she looks like she is made of tough stuff, too. She's a model who's currently living in San Diego and hopefully will be a fine representative of our very own Sydney. She seems to have a good game plan and could do fine physically.



Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George is 37 years old and from Nashville, Tennessee. While the CBS website describes her as a "former pop star," I've never heard of her. She's worried about people finding out who she is and to whom she's married. Um ... to be honest, I've never heard of Sisters With Voices even if they are "Grammy nominated." Nor do I follow football and would have no idea who her husband is -- former NFL running back Eddie George of the Tennessee Titans. Nor have I read her book. Maybe I'm just living under a rock, but I kind of doubt folks are going to be recognizing her as some sort of star. With her delusions of worldwide fame aside, I like her strategy and she made me giggle about living off her stored fat. She could do well in the game.



Tyson Apostol, age 29, is a professional cyclist from Lindon, Utah. The CBS website lists him as the fan favorite so far. I just can't get behind that. His favorite castaway is Johnny Fairplay? Yikes! That would put him at the bottom of my list. I don't think Fairplay played the game well at all and he creeped me out, too! Tyson is in good shape and might do well. But I'm almost hoping not just because he's a Fairplay fan. Ew.

Off TV Topic ... for the most part

I'll be posting the video look at the last group of Survivor Tocantins castaways a bit later today. So, please check back for that. However, as I often seem to do ... it's time to go off topic for a post!

Well, not all the way off topic. I should mention my "TV Shows Off the Beaten Path" column over on CliqueClack TV, right? In yesterday's column I delved into The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. In particular, I'm loving his puppets -- especially when they yodel. Take a peek at the column for another video and my commentary on Craig! Also, on another TV note: A&E is starting the last season of The Sopranos tonight. Since I only have basic cable, I haven't seen the last season. I caught up with the rest of the series over the past summer and I'm looking forward to the finale!



Then there's the local scene. This week included Groundhog's Day. We had conflicting groundhogs, but starting yesterday we're in a warmer weather streak. That Pennsylvania groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter while the two local groundhogs (Essex Ed of NJ and Staten Island Chuck of NYC) predicted an early spring. Chuck also bit Mayor Bloomberg who seemed to deserve it from the video I saw. You don't take food out of the mouth of a huge rodent with massive front teeth! Chuck drew blood even. I suppose I shouldn't be finding it funny, but I do. Bloomberg tried to link Chuck to a terrorist factor, but I think Chuck's probably just a disgruntled taxpayer.



While Roofus the Cat stood me up for our Saturday morning work commute date, I checked out the ornamental kale. Yep, still buried in the snow and not looking quite as pretty and perky as it did in the past.

All I can say is ... was Sylar (Heroes) in New Jersey recently?

I believe I've taken a photo of this dude before. Or, if not, one similar to him. This is what happens when you leave me waiting in one of those little doctor rooms. Yes, I finally went to my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon yesterday. He understands my need to buy some time before the right knee gets replaced. I got a cortisone shot. I'm talking a turkey-baster sized needle o' stuff way down in the knee joint. Ow. But it's working. I can dance again.

Today's musical non sequitur:

Lather was thirty years old today,
They took away all of his toys.
His mother sent newspaper clippings to him,
About his old friends who'd stopped being boys.
-- "Lather" by The Jefferson Airplane

The Amazing Race 14: Meet the Teams, Part Two

Yep, I'm here to take a look at the next group of teams we'll see next Sunday (February 15) on The Amazing Race. You can find the first group's videos and my commentary in my earlier post. Without further ado:



Christie Volkmer (age 37) and Jodi Wincheski (age 40) are flight attendants from Choctaw (Oklahoma) and Houston (Texas) respectively. Y'know, I think I must have personal issues with blond female teams on the show. Thinking back over the teams, none of the all-blond females ever struck me right. I suppose it might be a psychological thing -- with blond being more fun and all that. Heh. But I think I like these two. Here's why: They're a bit older, but not old enough for it to be way too challenging. And, I think they're absolutely right. They're going to have an edge at the airports. Hmm ... I'll have to see them in action, but I think I might be cheering them on!



Ah, the spoilers were right -- there is a deaf racer on a team this season! But, contrary to the rumors, it's a guy, not a woman. Margie and Luke Adams are a mother and son team hailing from Denver, Colorado. She's a clinical research associate while he's a college grad. She's 50 years old. He's 22. She can hear and sign. He's deaf. She never personally aspired to be on the show, he's wanted to do it just biding the time until he hit 21 years of age. From their video clip, I have to say I like them. They seem like nice people. I hope they do well.



Tammy and Victor Jih, age 26 and 35, San Francisco and Los Angeles, are a brother and sister team. They're both lawyers. They're first generation Americans and both went to Harvard Law School. Yeah, they're probably pretty smart. But, aside from that, their video made me smile ... a lot. I don't know what it is about them, but I think they'll be a strong team despite any sibling rivalry. What is it with casting getting so many nice folks? I want someone to sneer at and it's not going to be these two!



Another sibling team is Mark and Michael Munoz. Mark is 48, living in Los Angeles, a jockey and a stuntman. Michael is 51, a stuntman and actor living in Maui, Hawaii. Little did they know that the shaka hand sign they started off their video with would be something President Obama did at the Inaugural Parade, eh? These two are the "little people" from the spoilers, but they're not really little people, per se. They're just short. Although they didn't irk me in their clip, they came across a bit more so-so than some of the other teams so far. They have a lot of strengths for running the race, so they could do just fine. I just hope to see more personality from them.

Stay tuned for the final three teams coming soon!

Survivor Tocantins Castaways Part Two

Yep, it's sneaking up on us! Next Thursday is the season premiere of Survivor 18 or ... Survivor: Tocantins. I'm SO ready! I covered some of the castaways in Part One and I'm here to continue taking a peek at those we will love, hate, or be ambivalent about this season:



Jerry Sims, age 49, is a US Army sergeant from Rock Hill, South Carolina. I had really hoped I wouldn't have to talk about chests again. Sigh. Jerry should really cover up those man-boobs. They're verging on the edge of soft core porn. That aside, I think Jerry seems to have it all as far as chances to win in the game. He's in good physical shape enough to be competition for men half his age. He seems to have his head right in that he will have to be devious in the game. I only wonder if being a leader of army folks might be a drawback or a blessing in the game. Time will tell.



Joe Dowdle, age 26, is a real estate salesman from Austin, Texas. While I think he has a game plan and all (persuade and evade), I'm not getting great vibes about how he'll get along with the others in the game. He just reminds me of so many strong physical young guys who have been on the show in the past. He's young, confident, probably very physically fit, good-looking ... and a threat just because. I think he might end up being a target just for those reasons.



James (JT) Thomas, Jr., age 24, is a cattle rancher from Samson, Alabama. Hmmm. He is probably going to be very strong at surviving the outdoors element of the show due to the fact that he's an outdoorsy camping and fishing kind of guy. I think his fellow castaways might underestimate him. He comes across in the video as a nice guy and much less threatening than Joe. I'm going to have my eye on this one.



Sandy Burgin, age 53, is a school bus driver from Louisville, Kentucky. If for nothing but the age and woman factors, I'd love to see her shine in the game. Her game plan is a bit confusing, though. She says she doesn't want to be a Mom, but will mother people if needed. Um. Okay. She does know that older folks are often the target and she seems to have a lot of spunk. On the other hand, she claims she's a bit zany. I've seen perceived wackiness cost folks the game. Another "I just don't know." First one out? Could be, then again she might go far.



Sierra Reed, age 23, is a model from Hollywood, California (not that there's anything wrong with that). Well, if she keeps rocking from one foot to the other on the show like she does on the video, I want her gone. She's reminding me of Drew Barrymore for some reason. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. She doesn't have the explosive chest, but could she wear anything more low-cut? I think she may end up being annoying. I hope I'm wrong but for some reason I found her video annoying. Maybe it was the rocking bit.

Stay tuned for the final castaways soon! We all just might have to cheer on the one named SYDNEY.
:-)

American Idol Hollywood Week ... So Far

Whoa, they've gotten even more strict on Hollywood Week this year! On Tuesday's show, each wannabe had one song to keep them going on with the show. One bad move and POOF, they're gone.

Last night was the group singing. Now, of course, that leads to drama when the contestants might not like each other. A lot of good contenders got the boot including the Osmond and Rose (both of whom I liked). Thankfully, Bikini Girl (I can't even remember her name as I write this, but she annoys me) got canned. As the show ended, I had to call up a co-worker named Nancy Wilson and offer my condolences about her getting the boot. My co-worker is actually more personable, but I told her that her behavior going off stage was inappropriate anyway.

I'm liking the music teacher with the recently deceased wife and his friend more and more each time I see them. Have you any early favorites?

In a world far away from Hollywood, here's what it looked like around here recently:


A neglected bit o' woods is etched in snow, making it a thing of beauty. I won't mention that it's built on contaminated ground. Let's just say it's very pretty.


The Plainfield NJ Train Station in the evening last night. There's a fancy-schmancy NJ Transit double-decker train discharging NYC commuters. Clicking on the images will open them larger and in a new window.

Today's musical non sequitur:
They say that I won't last too long on Broadway
I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home, they all say
But they're dead wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar
And I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway
-- "On Broadway" by George Benson

LOST 30 Second Review - "The Little Prince"

What a week! I got in from work tonight in time to catch American Idol (next post). Now, I'm not going into great detail -- note my "30 Second Review" bit in the header. But, here's your Lost ... in thirty seconds:

• Not only Charlotte has the nosebleed problems, but Juliet and Miles are, too. They all live ... for now.
• Time continues to warp on the island.
• Sayid reluctantly goes with Ben and Jack.
• Ben gets his lawyer to spring Hurley (although he hasn't been sprung yet from jail).
• Kate follows the lawyer of the person after Aaron and it turns out to be Claire's mother.
• But it isn't her after all.
• It's Ben.
• Sawyer sees Kate deliver Aaron in a time warp.
• In another time warp, Jin is discovered by French people on a raft.
• He's alive.
• And Danielle Rousseau is at that time young and pregnant.
• Sun watches Kate, Sayid, Jack, and Ben. Sun has Aaron with her. Sun has a gun.
• Tonight's key phrase: "When are we?"
  

Lost CLUNK.

Hmm ... not many questions answered, but not many new ones brought up, either. We still don't know exactly why the return of the Oceanic Six will stop the time-warping and save the others (not to be confused with the Others). Kate,Sun, and Hurley won't go willingly, methinks.

Tonight, Tonight ... on TV

We're back to a dilemma for me tonight. First off, have I ever mentioned how I hate this fall/winter season with an extended break in between programming bit? Heroes returns tonight (9 PM ET/PT) and I can't remember what was happening in the last episode. It seems like it was a good six years ago or so!

I'll be watching the new episodes of The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother in the 8 PM hour. I'll be writing up the BBT episode for CliqueClack TV, but not before I watch Heroes.

NBC has a new Chuck on at 8 PM ET/PT and a new Medium on at 10 PM ET/PT. The CBS line-up is all new episodes tonight. FOX has a new House followed by a new 24. ABC has a new 2-hour The Bachelor followed by a new True Beauty. TNT has The Closer (new - 9 PM ET/PT), then a new Trust Me.

I'll be watching the 8 PM CBS hour, then Heroes, then True Beauty as I write up TBBT. I don't really have to think for True Beauty. I'll record The Closer and Trust Me. Gack, too much TV and too little time to watch it all!

What are you watching?

Off Topic: Roofus, Weather, and do you want a Superbowl post?

Yep, you know I have to go off topic at times. I'm going to give you a taste of my week behind me in photos I've taken. Plus, if there is enough interest, I'll make a Superbowl discussion post later today. I'm not a huge football fan and there aren't any local teams for me this time around. So, I may or may not be watching some or all of the game (and the commercials). I might just get drawn into The Sopranos marathon on A&E. But if you want me to set up a discussion post for you, just let me know!

Onto the week in photos:


On Wednesday I laid the first tracks at the Plainfield Train Station. Yes, I had my bulky boots on. But, yeah ... I have big feet, too.


Again, the Plainfield (NJ) Train Station area on Wednesday morning. Obviously Roofus the Cat is hunkering down somewhere out of the elements.


I was up before dawn cracked on Friday due to the fact I was leaving work early for my doctor's appointment ... which ended up being canceled. Argh. No Roofus at that hour.


But, come our usual Saturday morning meeting time on my way to work, there's Roofus sleeping in the sun!


This is a bit fuzzy if you click on it for the bigger image. Roofus has awakened and is watching pigeons fly from atop the building yesterday morning.

Let me know about the football post and check out my first part posts on Survivor and The Amazing Race casting!

Today's musical non sequitur:
Gitchi Gitchi Ya Ya Ta Ta
Gitchi Gitchi Ya Ya Here
Mocha Choco Lata Ya Ya
Creole Lady Marmalade
-- "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle

The Amazing Race 14: Meet the Teams, Part One

As with my Survivor cast, I'm breaking this one down into parts. I apologize to folks on dial-up as these might be slow loading for you with the videos. But I have to give CBS folks kudos for making the videos embed-capable! It's so much easier to comment along with the video! You go, CBS!



Brad (age 52) and Victoria (age 47) Hunt are a happily married couple from Columbus, Ohio. Keyword is "happily." I'm so tired of bickering use the race to get back together couples! He's a distribution dispatcher while she's a tax manager. I'm a bit worried about her health issues (as described on their bio page), but I think I'm going to enjoy watching them in the race.



Mel (age 68) and Mike (age 38) White are a father and son team from Lynchburg, VA and Santa Monica respectively. I wrote about them in my TV Squad post on spoilers early in January. Mel told his family that he was gay when Mike was 11, then went on to become "a gay-rights activist, has worked as a writer, professor, filmmaker and a pastor." Mike is a successful screenwriter in California with hits like School of Rock starring Jack Black. According to their bio on the CBS site, they are the most traveled and most opinionated team. I enjoyed their video clip and think they'll be fun to watch on the show. I do think the elder White's age might hinder them, but he seems in good shape.



Amanda Blackledge (age 23) and Kris Klicka (age 24) are a happy dating couple from San Diego, California. Note the word "happy." They've been together for three years and aren't seeking to find out whether they belong together or not. Phew! She's a student while he's a sales rep. They come across as energetic and personable in their video clip. The strikes against them include not being well-traveled and being so young. I bet they're going to get along pretty well with the other teams which might outweigh their shortcomings, though.



Cara Rosenthal (age 26) and Jaime Edmondson (age 29) might look like a sister team, but they aren't -- they're former NFL cheerleaders for the Miami Dolphins. Cara is now a law student out of Boca Raton, Florida while Jaime is former police officer out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They don't mention what Jaime is doing now on the CBS site. I often tend to groan at some of the female "all looks" teams on the show, but I think these two gals might be the strongest female team ever. They're well-traveled, used to rushing, very physically fit. Could they win it all? I say a definite "maybe."

Stay tuned for more teams!

Survivor Tocantins Castaways Part One

Although two will be ejected before things really get started on the show, I'm going to take a peek at all of the new castaways. After all, I have no clue who's being banished from the Magic Kingdom of Tocantins! Due to the number of castaways, this will be broken down into more than one entry.



Benjamin Wade, age 37 from Bolivar, MO. He's single and I get the feeling that he's somewhat full of himself. Supposedly this season is "all about first impressions." Well, I can't put my finger on exactly what's rubbing me the wrong way, but something is. I realize you probably do have to have a bit of a chip on your shoulder to go on the show, but I'm thinking his attitude of superiority might not fare well with others. I could be wrong. Maybe it's just the wet mullet.



Brendan Synott, age 30, an entrepreneur from NYC. I think he's coming off as personable in his video clip -- not like Benjamin. Although he claims life is about fun and games (he's young yet), he also seems to have a good business head on his shoulders from the glimpse I have of him. He's single and currently living in Vail, CO. I bet he skis, y'think? I believe I'm going to like him on the show. He seems pretty intelligent and knows that the perception of him by the others is a key to survive.



Candace Smith, age 31, an attorney from Dayton, OH. She's a former Miss Ohio, as aspect which doesn't thrll me all that much. (Are those balloons on her chest or is she just happy to see us?) That aside, she seems both intelligent and physically strong. I think she might be a real competitor and could make it far in the game. In her bio on the CBS website, her friends say she can come across as a "bitch." If she does, that could blow it all for her. If she can keep that part reined in, she just might make it through to the end. If she doesn't like phony people, what's she doing on a reality TV show?



Carolina Eastwood (no relation to Clint, I don't think), age 26, is a bartender from West Hollywood, CA. They should proof the bio on the CBS site as "an Army solider [her father], moved the family to the Untied States." Untied States, eh? I don't know her chances of getting to the end -- although I think that her upbringing might make her endure the elements better and she comes across as personable ... I'm not getting the conniving factor from her. That could hurt her game.



Debra (Debbie) Beebee, age 46, is a middle school principal from Auburn, Alabama. She's also known as "Bubbles." Um. I don't know what to say about that. I had a cat named Bubbles as a child, but question how much I'd like a person not on The Wire named "Bubbles." Of course, she could be called Deb-B-B-B. I want to root for her as an older castaway, but I'm not so sure of her chances. I think she'll probably be fine on the physical level, but question her thought of being "the mother." I just don't know.



Erinn Lobdell, age 26, is a hair stylist from Waukesha, Wisconsin. I might have to root for her just because she doesn't have a huge chest hanging out all over the place! I find that refreshing! In her video, she comes across as older than her actual age, I think. I'm getting good vibes about her and think that she might end up being one of the stronger women in the game all-around. But then again, she might be the first out. I guess we'll find out!

Stay tuned for the rest of the cast in future entries. The big show premieres at 8 PM ET/PT on CBS, February 12.

American Idol Auditions in NYC and San Juan

Last night American Idol hit two different cities within a mere hour. We're talking San Juan (Puerto Rico) and New York City. Yep, it was at warp speed. I can understand why they condensed the two cities into the hour. With the lack of talent shown, a half-hour may have done the trick.

For some reason, in both cities the judges sat in front of a window. Not only did I find it distracting to see things moving about behind them, but at one point the window tint pane set (the only way I can think to describe it) came crashing down. That, for me, was the highlight of the evening. Ah. well ... at least it didn't look like the contestants were bringing their gold tickets down some back porch like Jacksonville.

I'm kind of pleased they went to San Juan. If memory serves, they've never held auditions there before. It might add a bit of spice. I think, overall, the auditions in San Juan had more interesting singers than NYC. However, it could all be in the editing.

Okay ... to the talent, or lack thereof. I think I'm getting cranky. I kind of liked one of the guys in San Juan. But, once again, no one blew me away. At least they didn't make an innocent guy look threatening. Yep, the show apologized to Mudd ... as they should.

In a sidenote: My doctor called out sick today and my appointment was canceled. Argh. I have it set up for next Friday. This is for the not-replaced (so far) knee.

LOST Last Night

I'm still a bit confused, but the time-warping of the group on the island is making things interesting once again. I'm not sure how Juliette time-warps with Sawyer, Locke, Faraday, and the others when she's technically an Other. The Others don't seem affected by the time zaps at all. Maybe she isn't really an Other because she wasn't born there. But neither was Ben, his father or most of the other Others. Maybe she's lost what made her an Other because she betrayed them. I don't know. Of course, Richard Alpert isn't affected by time at all. "He's old," said Juliette. But he never ages, not a bit.

Hmm ... last night's episode ("Jughead") was all about the island and nothing about the reunion of the Oceanic Six. So, Charles Widmore was on the island under Richard, eh? I wonder what happened which made him a rich man and made him the guardian of hiding the island from the world.

Jughead was an H-bomb. If you bury an H-bomb, it won't just blow up as decomposition goes on all about it? I don't know.

It seems like Mrs. Hawkings is indeed Faraday's mother -- she was in L.A. when Ben saw her and Widmore told Desmond she's in L.A.

We now know why Richard Alpert was there for John Locke's birth -- John Locke from the future told him about it before it happened.

My head is spinning a bit, but this is better than smoke monsters.

What a Wednesday Primetime TV!

I'm writing this up during commercials as I watch Life on Mars. Now, tonight was one darn good television night for me! First, there was American Idol (which I'll write a bit about here), then Lost (will write more about tomorrow), now Life on Mars (which I probably won't do much more than touch on in this entry). One quick time quibble with Life on Mars -- All in the Family started in 1971. This show is supposed to be 1973. In 1973 everybody knew who Archie and Meathead were! How did that get by the producers, editors, etc.?

I didn't write up anything on last night's American Idol and ended up hitting the sack not much after it ended as I had to get up extra early today. Had the Jacksonville auditions had anyone who really impressed me, I would have written a quick entry last night. But, blech for the most part. A few were okay, but they'd have a long way to go to win it all.

Tonight's auditions from Salt Lake City were different for me. First off, there was an Osmond -- the son of Alan Osmond, the eldest singing Osmond. I didn't realize Alan had been sick and he does really look like he's been through the wringer. But he has a son much cuter than Donny ever was! I thought the Osmond could sing, too. He made it to Hollywood.

As a sidenote, I saw Donny on The Bonnie Hunt Show recently. He will be doing Dancing With the Stars.

I also liked Megan (very pretty stay-at-home-mom with tattooed arm) and blond girl at the end whose parents passed away. Yeah, another sob story. There are a million sob stories on the show and she's but a one. However, I enjoyed her voice. She could be very interesting.

Did anyone catch your eye? And, how do you like the new graphic by rockin' Zoetawny?

Some TV, Some Off Topic, and Happy New Year!

This sign for Broadway.com is way off base -- "18 million people in NYC and only 70,000 Broadway seats." Um, NYC is more like 8 million, not 18. What's up with that? I apologize for the quality of the image. I took it out the train window.

In TV doings, my latest review of Cold Case and my latest Reality Clack column are both up over on CliqueClack TV.Tonight's Big Bang Theory is a repeat, so I won't be rewriting the review I posted a while back. At least Letterman is new this week. Phew!

Today marks the Year of the Ox. Happy New Year! The big parade in Chinatown is Sunday. I'm toying with the idea of going into the city for it. A lot will depend on the weather and, of course, how I feel.

I've got a bit of bad news for the regular readers ... well, for me, at least. It's nothing which will affect the blog or anything. But I've been having problems with my right knee (my original bad knee which was operated on ten years ago). I have a visit scheduled with the orthopedic surgeon this coming Friday. Right now I have to work longer before I can have any sort of operation as I have to build up my short term disability. I generally don't put too much stock in them, but I'm going to ask for a cortisone shot in the knee to buy me a few months. I'm probably going to end up with a second knee replacement. Thankfully, I only have two knees!

In better news, I saw Roofus the cat on Saturday morning and forgot to post the photos! (Clicking on them will make the image open larger in a new window.)



Today's musical non sequitur:
Workin' in a coal mine
Goin' down down down
Workin' in a coal mine
Whoop! About to slip down
-- "Working in a Coal Mine" by Lee Dorsey

SAG Awards Tonight

Yes, it's that time again. Tonight, on both TNT and TBS at 8 PM ET, we have the gala event of the Screen Actors Guild awards. I have to watch Cold Case so I can write up the review for CliqueClack TV, but I will hopefully be able watch some of the awards show or the rebroadcast at 11 PM ET. James Earl Jones will receive a SAG Lifetime Achievement Award, definitely deserved methinks. Here are the television-related nominees:

Primetime Television

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
RALPH FIENNES Bernard Lafferty BERNARD AND DORIS HBO
PAUL GIAMATTI John Adams JOHN ADAMS HBO
KEVIN SPACEY Ron Klain RECOUNT HBO
KIEFER SUTHERLAND Jack Bauer 24: REDEMPTION FOX
TOM WILKINSON Benjamin Franklin JOHN ADAMS HBO

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
LAURA DERN Katherine Harris RECOUNT HBO
LAURA LINNEY Abigail Adams JOHN ADAMS HBO
SHIRLEY MacLAINE Coco Chanel COCO CHANEL Lifetime
PHYLICIA RASHAD Lena Younger A RAISIN IN THE SUN ABC
SUSAN SARANDON Doris Duke BERNARD AND DORIS HBO

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
MICHAEL C. HALL Dexter Morgan DEXTER Showtime
JON HAMM Don Draper MAD MEN AMC
HUGH LAURIE Gregory House HOUSE FOX
WILLIAM SHATNER Denny Crane BOSTON LEGAL ABC
JAMES SPADER Alan Shore BOSTON LEGAL ABC

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
SALLY FIELD Nora Walker BROTHERS & SISTERS ABC
MARISKA HARGITAY Det. Olivia Benson LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT NBC
HOLLY HUNTER Grace Hanadarko SAVING GRACE TNT
ELISABETH MOSS Peggy Olson MAD MEN AMC
KYRA SEDGWICK Dep. Chief Brenda Johnson THE CLOSER TNT

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN Jack Donaghy 30 ROCK NBC
STEVE CARELL Michael Scott THE OFFICE NBC
DAVID DUCHOVNY Hank Moody CALIFORNICATION Showtime
JEREMY PIVEN Ari Gold ENTOURAGE HBO
TONY SHALHOUB Adrian Monk MONK USA

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE Samantha Newly SAMANTHA WHO? ABC
AMERICA FERRERA Betty Suarez UGLY BETTY ABC
TINA FEY Liz Lemon 30 ROCK NBC
MARY-LOUISE PARKER Nancy Botwin WEEDS Showtime
TRACEY ULLMAN Various Characters TRACEY ULLMAN’S STATE OF THE UNION Showtime

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
BOSTON LEGAL ABC
CANDICE BERGEN Shirley Schmidt
SAFFRON BURROWS Lorraine Weller
CHRISTIAN CLEMENSON Jerry Espenson
TARAJI P. HENSON Whitney Rome
JOHN LARROQUETTE Carl Sack
WILLIAM SHATNER Denny Crane
JAMES SPADER Alan Shore
TARA SUMMERS Katie Lloyd
GARY ANTHONY WILLIAMS Clarence Bell
THE CLOSER TNT
G.W. BAILEY Lt. Provenza
MICHAEL PAUL CHAN Lt. Mike Tao
RAYMOND CRUZ Det. Julio Sanchez
TONY DENISON Lt. Andy Flynn
ROBERT GOSSETT Commander Taylor
PHILLIP P. KEENE Buzz Watson
GINA RAVERA Det. Irene Daniels
COREY REYNOLDS Sgt. David Gabriel
KYRA SEDGWICK Dep. Chief Brenda Johnson
J.K. SIMMONS Asst. Police Chief Will Pope
JON TENNEY FBI Agent Fritz Howard
DEXTER Showtime
PRESTON BAILEY Cody
JULIE BENZ Rita Bennett
JENNIFER CARPENTER Debra Morgan
VALERIE CRUZ Syl Prado
KRISTIN DATTILO Det. Barbara Gianna
MICHAEL C. HALL Dexter Morgan
DESMOND HARRINGTON Joey Quinn
C.S. LEE Vince Masuka
JASON MANUEL OLAZABAL Ramon Prado
DAVID RAMSEY Anton
JAMES REMAR Harry Morgan
CHRISTINA ROBINSON Astor
JIMMY SMITS Miguel Prado
LAUREN VÉLEZ Lt. Maria Laguerta
DAVID ZAYAS Angel Batista
HOUSE FOX
LISA EDELSTEIN Dr. Lisa Cuddy
OMAR EPPS Dr. Eric Foreman
PETER JACOBSON Dr. Chris Taub
HUGH LAURIE Dr. Gregory House
ROBERT SEAN LEONARD Dr. James Wilson
JENNIFER MORRISON Dr. Allison Cameron
KAL PENN Dr. Lawrence Kutner
JESSE SPENCER Dr. Robert Chase
OLIVIA WILDE Dr. Remy Hadley/Thirteen
MAD MEN AMC
BRYAN BATT Salvatore Romano
ALISON BRIE Trudy Campbell
MICHAEL GLADIS Paul Kinsey
JON HAMM Don Draper
CHRISTINA HENDRICKS Joan Holloway
JANUARY JONES Betty Draper
VINCENT KARTHEISER Pete Campbell
MARK MOSES Herman “Duck” Phillips
ELISABETH MOSS Peggy Olson
JOHN SLATTERY Roger Sterling
RICH SOMMER Harry Crane
AARON STATON Ken Cosgrove

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 ROCK NBC
SCOTT ADSIT Pete Hornberger
ALEC BALDWIN Jack Donaghy
KATRINA BOWDEN Cerie
TINA FEY Liz Lemon
JUDAH FRIEDLANDER Frank Rossitano
JANE KRAKOWSKI Jenna Maroney
JACK McBRAYER Kenneth Parcell
TRACY MORGAN Tracy Jordan
MAULIK PANCHOLY Jonathan
KEITH POWELL Toofer
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ABC
KENDALL APPLEGATE Penny Scavo
ANDREA BOWEN Julie Mayer
CHARLIE CARVER Porter Scavo
MAX CARVER Preston Scavo
RICARDO ANTONIO CHAVIRA Carlos Solis
MARCIA CROSS Bree Van De Kamp Hodge
DANA DELANY Katherine Mayfair
JAMES DENTON Mike Delfino
LYNDSY FONSECA Dylan Mayfair
RACHEL FOX Kayla Huntington
TERI HATCHER Susan Mayer
ZANE HUETT Parker Scavo
FELICITY HUFFMAN Lynette Scavo
BRENT KINSMAN Younger Porter Scavo
SHANE KINSMAN Younger Preston Scavo
JOY LAUREN Danielle Van De Kamp
EVA LONGORIA-PARKER Gabrielle Solis
KYLE MacLACHLAN Orson Hodge
NEAL McDONOUGH Dave Williams
JOSHUA MOORE Parker Scavo
SHAWN PYFROM Andrew Van De Kamp
DOUG SAVANT Tom Scavo
NICOLLETTE SHERIDAN Edie Britt
BRENDA STRONG Mary Alice Young
ENTOURAGE HBO
KEVIN CONNOLLY Eric Murphy
KEVIN DILLON Johnny Drama
JERRY FERRARA Turtle
ADRIAN GRENIER Vincent Chase
REX LEE Lloyd
JEREMY PIVEN Ari Gold
PERREY REEVES Mrs. Ari
THE OFFICE NBC
LESLIE DAVID BAKER Stanley Hudson
BRIAN BAUMGARTNER Kevin Malone
CREED BRATTON Creed Bratton
STEVE CARELL Michael Scott
JENNA FISCHER Pam Beesly
KATE FLANNERY Meredith Palmer
MELORA HARDIN Jan Levenson
ED HELMS Andrew Bernard
MINDY KALING Kelly Kapoor
ANGELA KINSEY Angela Martin
JOHN KRASINSKI Jim Halpert
PAUL LIEBERSTEIN Toby Flenderson
B.J. NOVAK Ryan Howard
OSCAR NUÑEZ Oscar Martinez
CRAIG ROBINSON Darryl Philbin
PHYLLIS SMITH Phyllis Lapin
RAINN WILSON Dwight Schrute
WEEDS Showtime
DEMIÁN BICHIR Esteban Reyes
JULIE BOWEN Lisa
ENRIQUE CASTILL Cesar
GUILLERMO DIAZ Guillermo
ALEXANDER GOULD Shane Botwin
ALLIE GRANT Isabelle Hodes
JUSTIN KIRK Andy Botwin
HEMKY MADERA Ignacio
ANDY MILDER Dean Hodes
KEVIN NEALON Doug Wilson
MARY-LOUISE PARKER Nancy Botwin
HUNTER PARRISH Silas Botwin
ELIZABETH PERKINS Celia Hodes
JACK STEHLIN Roy Till

Me? I'd be tickled pink if Michael C. Hall won for Dexter! How about you?

Survivor Tocantins Just Around the Corner

We'll have a new season with new castaways to love or hate starting Thursday, February 12 at 8 PM ET/PT. Unlike previous years when everything was hush-hush, they have the two tribes laid out for us on the show's website. Apparently they figured out that keeping secrets from us doesn't always work too well, eh?



Two people,one from each tribe, will be voted off before making it to camp. Yikes!



In the days between now and the season premiere, I'll be taking a closer look at the castaways. I just can't believe Jeff Probst when he claims there are so many likable folks! I'm sure I can gripe about some!

A LOST Night

Much like Zoetawny's graphic above, I've found myself pulled right into Lost once again. That said, I'm glad I've decided not to do lengthy recap-type posts on the show this season. Man, it is so darned complicated! And, not only would I have to write the equivalent of a novella on each episode, you know the Lost purists would surely arrive to let me know what I got wrong or forgot to mention. So, the short report is best, methinks. Plus, you can flesh more out in comments. Because, you guys -- the Seekers of Kale Sisterhood -- rock.

It's a good thing that I watched the "questions answered" hour before the two-hour premiere. I had forgotten or not tied together a lot of things. But I'm still a bit confused. Aren't you?

Okay, the folks from Flight 815 are time-shifting, yet the island is remaining in its proper time and place? (Here's a situation for Hiro from Heroes!) The Orchid Station apparently has the key to the time shifting. Hmmm. And, Ben is turning the wheel, yet the show jumps all around in time, thus adding to the confusion.

Both Desmond and Daniel Farraday seem like they're going to be key characters in this new season. They are the constants -- while they know they've previously (or future-ly) met, they carry reminders of the meeting and don't recall the details.

Ben is determined to gather the Oceanic Six for a return to the island but is given a timeframe of 70 hours by Mrs. Hawkings (Daniel's mother). Sayid has turned against Ben and Hurley has his George Washington thing going on -- he just can't tell a lie and can't live a lie either. I loved his line about how Sayid should eat more comfort food and he'd be less likely to go around killing people.

What's up with Sun? She tells Widmore she wants Ben dead, but I'm not so sure she isn't playing him. I think she might realize there's a chance Jin is alive. She blames Kate for his death, yet knows Kate saved her and Aaron. Oh, I'm so confused!

Is Hurley the key to everything? Is it Hurley himself which is so important to return to the island? Or, does it have to be the entire six in time and space? I don't know.

And what's with Locke? I used to say Locke was the key to the series. In a way, he still is. His death will be the force (besides Ben) to bring them back to the island. Plus, he was traveling alone in his own time stream on the island. Could he have a future or past alter-ego thing going on? The Others didn't travel with him through time, yet Richard said he had already told him of the gunshot wound. So Richard had to know the future John Locke even though it wasn't shown. He gave Locke a constant, the compass, so if they meet in time, they'll know there's a connection. It was the same compass young John Locke was previously given.

That leads me to another cute line. Alpert: "Here's a compass, just show it to me when we meet again." Locke: "What does it do?" Alpert: "It points north."

I'm still quite confused with the goings-on, but you know I'll be watching. Did you watch? Your thoughts?

Today and Tonight on TV

If decorative kale could shiver, it would be shivering. It's been really cold here for over a week. But that didn't stop Roofus the cat from catching some early morning rays today. Read on for TV stuff!


I've learned my lesson. Never again will I whine about nothing on television. Tonight I'll be watching the three hours of Lost. The first hour is actually that questions answered thing they previously aired. However, with the long hiatus, I need a refresher. I won't be blogging the show in depth here as I found I was missing too much when I did it. But I'll surely zap up a short commentary post on it.

I plan on recording both American Idol and Criminal Minds. I haven't even really thought about the 10 PM (ET) hour -- chances are that I'll be recording something then, too. And I have yet to watch my Bonnie Hunt Show I recorded today while I was at work. So much to watch, so little time.

What are your TV plans for tonight?

Inauguration Day and American Idol, too!

Today was not only an historic moment in time, but it was personally moving as well. As one who remembers the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s, I'm proud that we as a people have shown that the color of a person's skin is not the only thing he's all about. With Barack Obama, I think his intelligence, charisma, and determination to succeed played a role in his victory. It's very reminiscent of the kind of charisma of Bobby Kennedy so many decades ago. I'm proud that Americans have elected such a man and I'm hopeful for the future. I usually don't delve into politics here on the blog as things can get so vehement.

But it's a new day. We have a new first family in the White House. These are truly interesting times we live in. And, even if you aren't a supporter, he's got one of the most fun names of any President ever -- it just rolls right off the tongue, fun to say, fun to type! Barack Obama! :-)

I watched today's events unfold on TV. I've only been to one Presidential Inauguration in my life and I wasn't exactly at the Inauguration, nor was I particularly a desired guest.


Yep, on January 20, 1973, I was in Washington to protest Richard Nixon's second Inauguration. Riot police with plexiglass shields every three feet, tear gas, and all. Above is one of the pins I still have from that event. I was a McGovern/Shriver campaign worker and it was the biggest landslide loss in history. I didn't get myself arrested which was a good thing. I'd never be a good ex-convict. I was too young to vote. Back then you had to be 21. I was all of 17 but was a politically active college kid at the time. Thirteen buses took us from Albany (NY) to Washington. It was a day I'll never forget.

Correction for the historians out there -- 1972 was the first Presidential election in which 18-year-olds could vote. Before that, the voting age was 21. It didn't really matter to me as I was 17.

I didn't go today. But in many ways, my memories of today will be stronger than my personal experiences back then. I'm proud of us!


And, just to touch on it -- American Idol had its San Francisco auditions tonight. Unlike last week's shows, it was only an hour long. I wasn't really blown away by any of the auditions. There was one guy whose voice I liked, but his look reeked of David Cook. Same haircut. Gosh, I don't like that haircut.

A Quick Note

My computer had issues ... and I had to wait for a part and have been offline since my last post here. I'm alive and well enough, though. I'll be writing a review of tonight's The Big Bang Theory for CliqueClack TV in a bit.

Did anyone watch The Beast on A&E -- the new Patrick Swayze series? I watched it and will probably watch again. But, overall, I came away with the feeling that the whole show (writing, characters, storyline) was a bit overdone. Is it just me?

Roofus the Cat, the American Idol Kansas City Auditions

We're in the beginning of a bitter cold spell here in New Jersey. But early this morning on my way to work, I spotted a certain Roofus the cat taking a nap in his favorite spot. I think the sun probably heats the bricks some. He didn't look uncomfortable, but I was shivering. (Remember, if you click on the image it will open up in a new window much larger than it is here.)

Now it's on to American Idol ...


Heh. Yes, I'm using this for the bad auditions. In reality, it's on the side of the Friends Meeting House (Shakers) in Plainfield, NJ and it's regarding the war. But it fits this situation to a lesser extent.

The bad were bad once again tonight on American Idol. However, I was more impressed with the folks they showed making it through tonight in the Kansas City auditions than I was with the ones from Phoenix. I'm not too keen on Jason Castro's younger brother, but I doubt he'll make it through Hollywood (two) Weeks. The last young woman (mother of three children, living in hotel with husband and kids due to tornado) was the best of the women so far. As for the guys, I liked the ones the judges enjoyed -- the welder, Anuup, the teacher who recently lost his wife, and the marching coach guy.

Don't you love that the only name I remembered was Anuup? ;-)

Stay warm!

Madness Returns -- American Idol is Back

Y'know, with the exception of Melinda Doolittle, I've never bought anything from any American Idol contestants. Sure, some of the more successful ones have a load of talent, but often the songs they sing just aren't my cuppa. However, more power to them.

Tonight was the premiere of the eighth season. Yes, it's been that long. A new judge is in the mix. I'm a bit so-so about that although I liked Simon not being able to say the "aaa" sound in Kara (Care-ah). So he calls her Kara (Car-ah). Great. He'd call me "Jockie."

Since we're in the audition phase of the show, it's pretty much what we've seen before -- some horrible singers who think they can sing, some horrible singers who know they're horrible and just want to be on TV, and a gem or two along the way. Oh. We also had a girl who looks hot in a bikini. The jury is still out as to whether she can sing or not.

I tried to look at the show from another perspective tonight. I've decided I'd like to be on it. Um, no ... not really on it, per se. The production, the editing of the scenes, the decisions regarding songs in the background to enhance the happenings. The cheese.

Let me explain. This show not only has a built-in traffic maker with the teenage crowd looking for new teenybopper stars. But it's also very slick, well-produced, cleverly edited, and it's cheesy while doing all that stuff! I've always been a fan of cheese (not the dairy product so much, mind you). I enjoyed the days when Jeff Probst (Survivor) would leave the final tribal council on a jet ski, then arrive in NYC on the same one. I liked the old Batman television show. I adored David Letterman in the 80s. Cheese, zaniness, a bit of camp on the side and I'm hooked. American Idol does it all very well.

While I'd never want to be on camera and the world should never be exposed to my singing, I'd love to be behind the scenes on the show. I'd love to be the one to say "this song goes fantastic with this loser" or be the one to edit the reactions of the judges in perfect precision with off-key performances. Make it happen, FOX. No, I've never studied anything in film or production. But the contestants often haven't studied voice either. So ...

Did you watch? Your thoughts on Kara?

Monday, Monday

Baby, it's cold outside. Above I found some rabbit tracks in the snow. Below, it's one of the decorative kale taken this afternoon just before sunset. As always, clicking on the image will open it in a larger window. We had about four inches of snow followed by ice and rain Saturday night into Sunday. Now we're in a deep freeze with the expected high on Thursday to be about 10 degrees.


My Reality Clack column and Cold Case review are both up over at CliqueClack TV. Later tonight, I'll be posting a review of The Big Bang Theory over there, too. I know you all enjoy eating, so I should let you know that we now have a CliqueClack food site!

On television tonight, don't forget it's The Bachelor and we have the perfect meeting spot for you to hang out with your friends during or after the show. Make sure you go to the newest discussion post and, if you spill things, the mop is in the water closet.

Please try to stay warm, folks. Brr! (A cat or dog comes in real handy for added heat!)

Today's musical non sequitur:
Ice ice baby vanilla
Ice ice baby (oh-oh) vanilla
Ice ice baby vanilla
Ice ice baby vanilla ice
Yo man let's get out of here
Word to your mother
-- "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice
I couldn't resist!

TV Shows Continue the Return

Before I talk about TV, just a bit of off topic rambling! I found an ornamental kale not in my patch o' kale I've been photographing. This one is further along in the winter phase and to the point where it's often called snow cabbage. It has lost its color and is closing up like a cabbage. Also, I spotted Roofus the cat today. I was on the train home, but was going a few stops further to run some errands. So I didn't have my camera ready as I caught sight of him in his usual place just before sunset this evening.

Onto television!

I received a screener for the upcoming season premiere of The Closer (TNT) which I'll hopefully get to viewing on Sunday. It's set to air Monday, January 26 at 9 PM ET/PT. So if I don't get to it this week, next week will do. I also received another screener copy from TNT -- Gifted Hands, the Ben Carson Story. That one is a movie based on the life of Dr. Benjamin Carson, a man who became the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Childrens' Center. He also won the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It looks quite interesting. I have more time on that one as it will air on February 7.

Closer to date --
This coming Monday marks a big TV night. 24 returns to FOX in a two-hour premiere starting at 8 PM ET/PT. The CBS regular Monday primetime line-up is all new episodes. The Superstars of Dance (which didn't really rock my socks) is new and two hours starting at 8 PM ET/PT on NBC. Of course, The Bachelor (ABC) is also new as are all the network shows in the 10 PM ET/PT slot, too.

On Tuesday, the madness which is American Idol begins with a two-hour show on FOX starting at 8 PM ET/PT. The Biggest Loser also has its season premiere at the same time on NBC. All of the other network shows are brand-spanking new, too. I see we have back-to-back new Scrubs running head-to-head against The Mentalist.

Wednesday has the entire primetime block on ABC taken up with Lost. However, the season premiere isn't until the following week. On FOX, American Idol has another two-hour show. NBC has crammed an old L&O: SVU in between a new Knight Rider and a new Law and Order. The CBS primetime block is all new episodes of the usual Wednesday night suspects.

On Thursday, CBS starts of with a CSI repeat, but then into new episodes of CSI and Eleventh Hour. NBC has all new Thursday episodes of its regular line-up. FOX has a new Bones, then the season premiere of Kitchen Nightmares. ABC is all new, too! Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice.

I'm still finding Friday a bit disappointing, but will post more on that night later on. And, mind you ... I didn't even go into the cable listings. Perhaps on Friday, I can watch some of the stuff I recorded earlier in the week.

What will you be watching or recording?