In a little less than two weeks, the Olympics start… and I'm already depressed. No, really, the Olympics depress me. I admire what these people do; they are, without a doubt, some of the best athletes in the whole world…. Read More ›
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Burn Notice Lights my Fire
Last week, as you may recall, I promised to discuss Burn Notice this week. Well, I didn't so much promise that I'd discuss it so much as I stated that it was a definite possibility, that it was something that… Read More ›
Is it True? Can the Baby Borrowers be Taught?
I sit here today in stunned silence (thank goodness I'm typing this column instead of dictating). Did some of the teens on Baby Borrowers last night actually show some sort of growth? Has the entire experience actually taught them something?… Read More ›
It Looks as Though it is a Bleak Doomsday
What is it about the post-apocalyptic world that filmmakers like so much? Is it the fact that the side of law and order is allowed to inflict far more punishment on the villains without fear of crossing the line? Is… Read More ›
Lies and the Lying Reality Show Contestants who Tell Them
I don't quite know why, but I'm constantly amazed at the insanity of reality show contestants. I particularly enjoy moments on reality shows where a contestant speaks one-on-one to the camera about something that happened previously, and the show instantly… Read More ›
The Show Certainly Has at Least One Saving Grace
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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…
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
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
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 ›