Author Archives

Josh Lasser is a freelance entertainment reporter/critic. His work has appeared in print, online, and perhaps one day in book form.

• The Show Certainly Has at Least One Saving Grace

  By Josh Lasser on July 21, 2008 • ( 0 )

  Crime procedurals on television seem to have reached a point where nothing can be done routinely anymore. One cannot just have a show where someone solves crimes; the detective has to be obsessive-compulsive, pretend to be a psychic, be a… Read More ›

• Finding Out Exactly What it Means to be an American Zombie

  By Josh Lasser on July 21, 2008 • ( 0 )

  Zombies are people too.  Such is the message, sort of, given by director Grace Lee's American Zombie.  Though it is wholly fictional, the movie is made in documentary style and purports to explore the lives of some average living dead-types… Read More ›

• A Lot About Dragons’ Den and a Touch of Burn Notice

  By Josh Lasser on July 18, 2008 • ( 0 )

  Last week, as you may or may not recall, I wrote that I was all excited about the BBC America show Dragons' Den. Last night, I was less excited. I'm not going to say “far less excited,” just less excited…. Read More ›

• Baby Borrowers Fails to Excite

  By Josh Lasser on July 17, 2008 • ( 3 )

  Did you watch Baby Borrowers last night?  Well, I did.  I have to say, I'm completely underwhelmed.  I wish I wasn't, but I am.  I expected more.  I expected… I don't know what, but certainly more than what we're getting…. Read More ›

• Are Top Gear and I Having Our First Tiff?

  By Josh Lasser on July 16, 2008 • ( 1 )

  I don’t know how to tell you this.  It actually physically pains me to write what I have to now write.  Seriously, my fingers are cramping, my stomach is in knots, and my vision is going a little blurry.  There… Read More ›

• The Mole Burrows, American Gladiators Eliminates

  By Josh Lasser on July 15, 2008 • ( 0 )

  As I sit here and ruminate on last night's television offerings, one thing becomes abundantly clear — The Mole is just plain old fun. It requires a modicum of thought and encourages the viewer to engage with the game. Even… Read More ›

• Screening The Ex List Pilot

  By Josh Lasser on July 15, 2008 • ( 0 )

  Have you ever seen those pictures of an apple that say “this is not an apple” underneath or those pictures of a pipe that say “this is not a pipe?” Well, this is not a review. What this is is… Read More ›

• One Triple Shot Espresso Vodka Martini, Please

  By Josh Lasser on July 13, 2008 • ( 0 )

  Last time I stepped out of my usual areas of expertise and reviewed a drink, it was a tequila. I informed you at that time that scotch was my drink of choice, but that I had been sent the tequila… Read More ›

• Dragon’s Den Intrigues Me Mightily

  By Josh Lasser on July 11, 2008 • ( 0 )

  So, there I am, watching BBC America last night (okay, I really need to move to England so that I can watch the Beeb all the time, but that, perhaps, is another tale) because I heard that a new series,… Read More ›

• Snuggling Up with So You Think You Can Dance

  By Josh Lasser on July 11, 2008 • ( 0 )

  Okay, this is not usually my sort of thing, but it was weird enough that I figured I’d throw it out there. I got an e-mail from a publicist about Snuggle doing a thing with So You Think You Can… Read More ›

• Even More About TV Teens and Babies

  By Josh Lasser on July 11, 2008 • ( 0 )

  Last week I wrote to separate pieces (this one and that one) on television shows focusing on teens with kids.  This week I'm condensing it all down into one piece.  Really, I'm condensing it all down into one question –… Read More ›

• Wipeout & Hell’s Kitchen – I’m Just Not Sold

  By Josh Lasser on July 10, 2008 • ( 2 )

  I'm more than happy to admit that this season's edition of Hell's Kitchen (which ended last night) was moderately disappointing.  Everything about it felt as though it were a poor imitation of previous years.  But, the most disappointing thing about… Read More ›

• Flipping the Dial This Summer…

  By Josh Lasser on July 9, 2008 • ( 0 )

  As we do our best to endure this incredibly long summer of our discontent, televisually speaking, I think that it's really important to remember that it won't last forever.  It's also important to note that you can go out and… Read More ›

• At Least This Drillbit Hurts Less Than the Dentist’s

  By Josh Lasser on July 7, 2008 • ( 0 )

  School-age wimps fighting for revenge is not a new filmic concept.  School-age nerds hiring someone to help them remodel their image in not a new concept.  Mashing the two together into a film where school-age wimps hire someone to help… Read More ›

• From My Vantage Point, I’m Not Quite Sure About This

  By Josh Lasser on July 4, 2008 • ( 0 )

  What can one say about a film that has an interesting premise, carries it out poorly, and finally completely abandons it?  It is disappointing to be sure, but how much credit should be given for having the good idea?  Is… Read More ›

• Teen with Babies (Even if They’re Borrowed) Just Keeping Appearing on TV

  By Josh Lasser on July 4, 2008 • ( 0 )

  I have a two-year-old daughter.  Perhaps you've heard me mention her from time to time.  Even if you haven't, the fact remains that she exists and that under no circumstances, ever (save tons of money, of course), would I give… Read More ›

• The American Teenager Divulges a Not-So-Secret Life on ABC Family

  By Josh Lasser on July 2, 2008 • ( 0 )

  For reasons I do not fully understand, I sat down and watched The Secret Life of the American Teenager last night. Maybe it has something to do with the amazing draw of HDTV that I simply have to watch everything… Read More ›

• Robbie Coltrane: Incredible Britain – Like Cars but not so Animated

  By Josh Lasser on July 1, 2008 • ( 0 )

  While major highways make traveling across the country, any country, a lot faster, than it otherwise would be.  Of course, things are lost along the way.  Small towns that used to attract numerous tourists on their way from one place… Read More ›

• Coffee, Tea, or DirecTV – The Campaign to Save Moonlight Continues

  By Josh Lasser on June 23, 2008 • ( 0 )

  Fandom. It's one of those things that very few can understand unless they're actively a part of it. Look at those Star Trek people. There are Trekkies and Trekkers (and depending on who you are, never the 'twain shall meet),… Read More ›

• Nova scienceNOW Returns for Season Three

  By Josh Lasser on June 22, 2008 • ( 0 )

  Science can be fun. At least, that's the message delivered by Nova scienceNOW, the spin-off of Nova that is about to enter its third season this week on PBS. Hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the series focuses on four short… Read More ›