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Reality TV
September 10, 2008
'Greatest Dog' crowned tonight, 'ER' will bring back dead Dr. Greene
We’re down to three. Which pooch do you think deserves to be crowned “America’s Greatest Dog?”
The CBS canine reality show concludes with tonight’s finale at 7. The final three teams compete for the title with a Best in Show competition that will feature more challenging events from previous weeks.
I know some people love these little pups with hairdos that require clips, but I prefer low upkeep dogs, the kind you can roll around with in the grass without having to comb and fluff them after.
For no reason other than a personal hunch, I’m going with the boxer (the guy in the middle photo) to take the title.
‘ER’ brings back the dead
Dr. Mark Greene died of a brain tumor after eight seasons on the acclaimed NBC medical drama “ER.” The lingering death took up most of a season, and we actually witnessed his death. He’s been a goner since spring 2002.
So how can “ER,” which is entering its 15th and final season on Sept. 25, announce that Anthony Edwards will reprise his role on Nov. 13.
Executive producer John Wells declined to explain the resurrection — except to say that Dr. Greene will not actually return from the dead but be seen in flashbacks.
But because most of the characters Greene interacted with also are gone or dead, it’s unclear how and why those flashbacks will happen.
Also returning for the final season will be Noah Wiley, whose character, Dr. John Carter, wandered off to Africa when last we saw him.
Could be a season filled with ghosts.
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August 25, 2008
Bye-bye Olympics, hello 'Dancing'
If only there had been one day between the end of the Beijing Olympics and the beginning of yet another television marathon …
Before we settle into coverage of the Democratic and Republican conventions — potential first lady Michelle Barack is the first featured Democratic star tonight in Denver — we pause to take a quick look at last night’s closing ceremony from Bejing.
Although it degenerated into something vaguely reminiscent of a Las Vegas extravaganza, the official closer nevertheless had its moments.
The human tower of dancers switching from impersonating flowers to metal siding to lapping flames, the drummers turning themselves from one thing into another, the fireworks that turned much of Beijng from night to day …
The Chinese certainly proved capable of putting on a show. And, according to many athletes interviewed over the past 17 days, the Chinese also put on an extraordinarily well-run and enjoyable sporting competition.
Polite and enthusiastic crowds filled nearly all the venues, whether Chinese athletes were performing or not. Yes, the cheers for home competitors were heartier (I believe “near deafening” is how one commentator put it), but Americans and others were greeted extremely warmly, too.
London in 2012 has some very big shoes to fill.
Next round of hoofers on ‘Dancing wth the Stars’
When this wildly popular reality competition returns to ABC on Sept. 22, one of the celebrity competitors will be an 82-year-old actress and an 18-year-old actor.
Seriously. I’m not making this up.
Joining relative whippersnappers like singers Lance Bance and Toni Braxton will be Cloris Leachman, a nine-time Emmy winner perhaps best known as Mary Tyler Moore’s best pal Phyllis on the old “MTM Show.”
According to many sources, Leachman was born in April of 1926. So, unless my math is mistaken, she’s 82. Talk about ground-breaking!
The new season of “Dancing” also will include 18-year-old actor Cody Linley, best known as Jake Ryan on Disney’s series “Hannah Montana.”
Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, sprinter Maurice Greene, reality celebutante Kim Kardashian, soap star Susan Lucci, gold-medal beach volleyball star Misty May-Treanor, B-list actor Ted McGinley and retired NFL defensive back Warren Sapp also will be among the competitors.
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August 6, 2008
So you think you can watch the dancers, China, presidential debates and more?
We’re down to the final four tonight and the actual winners tomorrow night on “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Have you picked your favorites? In case you’ve lost track, the final four are: Courtney G., Katee, Joshua and Twitch. The hoofing, spinning, splitting and cheerleader-style gymnastics begin at 7 tonight and 7 Thursday night on Fox.
And if you need more information than one human being can possibly consume, check out the Fox site.
Fox is so high on this show it has already been renewed it, and creator/executive producer Nigel Lythgoe already has announced he is leaving his behind-the-scenes job on “American Idol” to devote himself to his on-camera (he’s a judge) and off-camera roles on “Dance.”
ABC looks at ‘China Inside Out’
If you’re in the mood for a thought-provoking documentary as you settle in for 17 days of the Beijing Olympics, ABC’s got a winner in “China Inside Out.” The program airs tonight at 9 in place of “Primetime.”
The report by Bob Woodruff looks at predictions that we’re heading into “the Chinese century” and whether that’s a good or bad thing for the rest of the world. Woodruff, by the way, speaks Mandarin and began his journalism career covering the uprisings in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
With the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics coming Friday night, this is an intriguing and timely look at the global impact of China and the impact of the communist revolution.
Woodruff, you might recall, continues to recover from the traumatic brain injury he suffered in January 2006 while covering the Iraq war. The road back has been long, with many frustrations and setbacks, but Woodruff appears to be on top of his game with this special.
Debates could use snappy moderators
The Commission on Presidential Debates has named Jim Lehrer and Gwen Ifill of PBS, Tom Brokaw of NBC News and Bob Schieffer of CBS News as moderators of the three presidential debates and one vice-presidental debate.
For the serious-minded among us, this is good news. It means that neither Fox’s Bill O’Reilly nor MSNBC’s Chris Matthews will embarrass themselves, the candidates and the audience with loud, obnoxious questions.
Lehrer, of course, is the calmer-than-calm anchor of “The NewsHour,” and Ifill is the brainy and smooth moderator of “Washington Week.” Brokaw, of course, is NBC’s former anchor and current fill-in for the late Tim Russert on “Meet the Press.”
But wouldn’t it have been fun to have Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert alternate the four gatherings? Seriously, ratings would soar.
And John McCain and Barack Obama have been honing their comedy skills all through the campaign.
Opportunity lost …
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July 30, 2008
Ratings: broadcast=bad, cable=good!
You know we’re in the dry, dull days of summer when the top-rated show of the week is “American’s Got Talent” — followed closely by “Wipeout” and a weary rerun of “Two and a Half Men.”
Check out the full Nielsen Top 20 list.
When 10 million people are tuning in to a show that pokes fun at people trying to leap over big pink balls, you know you’re dealing with terminally bored viewers.
But I lift my spirits somewhat when I check out the Nielsen ratings for cable. Now that list has some good shows that reflect viewers’ good taste.
Last week’s top-rated cable program was TNT’s “The Closer,” which attracted 7 million quality-starved viewers. About 5 million viewers also tuned in for fresh episodes of “Saving Grace,” “Monk,” “Burn Notice” and ‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” That’s 5 million for each of those original cable shows.
Whole lot a’ shakin’ at “Big Brother”
Monday’s Los Angeles earthquake shivered the timbers at the “Big Brother” house, which I’m sure we’ll get to see repeatedly on the CBS reality show.
Caught on tape, the quake had the inhabitants wandering outside, trying to figure out what to do next — and possibly trying to figure out if an earthquake was really happening or if they’d gotten hold of a bad mojito.
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July 28, 2008
Emmys to get five reality hosts; Fox hoofers coming to Austin
Kicking off the official TV season on Emmy night, a handful of reality show hosts will be in charge.
The announcement shouldn’t have been a big surprise — the Emmys have been flailing around in search of viewers for several years. But the decision to rotate five reality hosts in the master of ceremonies role seems to me like the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has given up any attempt to have the awards show celebrate true prime-time quality.
Sure, the nominated categories will include classy fare like “Mad Men” and “The Office,” and presumably all of the nominees will show up for the ceremony Sept. 21. But the hosts set the tone, and I just don’t see these folks serving up a classy tone. Howie Mandel? Oh, puleeze.
ABC’s telecast of the Emmys will feature, Ryan Seacrest of “American Idol” (last year’s solo host, a harbinger of this year’s pending disaster), Tom Bergeron of “Dancing with the Stars,” Mandel of “Dear or No Deal,” Heidi Klum of “Project Runway” and Jeff Probst of “Survivor.”
The ceremony’s executive producer, Ken Ehrlich, tried to justify the decision Friday be saying it was an attempt to “stay current with the state of television today.” Right. It’s a blatant attempt to lure the millions of people who watch reality shows.
And that would be fine if somehow watching the Emmys shoved viewers into paying attention to the really good (but sadly low-rated) shows out there like “Pushing Daisies” and “Friday Night Lights.”
Last year’s Emmy telecast was the second-lowest rated ceremony ever, with fewer than 13 million viewers tuning in. That’s about half the number that watches “American Idol” — and, lest we forget, Seacrest hosted that one.
So … maybe someone should explain to the Academy folks that viewers don’t watch reality shows for the hosts. They watch to see the real people who are competing.
Austin veteran on MTV tonight
A quick reminder: Austin’s own Lorenzo Zarate is one of three Iraq war veterans to be featured on MTV’s “Choose or Lose & Kanye West Present: Homecoming” (tonight at 9).
My colleague Patrick George wrote about Zarate’s surprise visit from famed rapper Kanye in today’s Metro section. In April, the Reagan High graduate, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his war duties, agreed to participate in the documentary.
Viewers also can go to Chooseorlose.com and interact with the show and the veterans, find ways to take action on these issues and share their own thoughts on the subject.
Fox hoofers coming to the Erwin Center
The featured players in Fox’s hit summer reality show “So You Think You Can Dance” are coming to the Frank Erwin Center for an Oct. 12 performance. Tickets go on sale Saturday, Aug. 2 at 10 a.m.
Tickets are not cheap, starting at $35 and topping off at $54.50. For more information, call (512) 477-6060 or 1 (800) 982-2386 or order on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com.
The tour will feature routines from the TV show as well as new pieces choreographed for the tour. This year’s Top 10 dancers include: Chelsie H, Comfort, Courtney G, Katee, Kherington, Gev, Joshua, Mark, Twitch and Will.
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July 23, 2008
Net chiefs embarrassed by reality shows? Absolutely not!
Anyone expecting a network chief to be embarrassed by the influx of cheap reality shows is going to be disappointed.
As long as the show is cheap to produce and grabs a few million viewers, cheesy reality apparently remains a genre to be proud of — even something as low-class as the marriage-busting, polygraph-dependent “Moment of Truth.”
“You know, this is Fox,” shrugged the network’s entertainment president Kevin Reilly in Los Angeles last week. “We never give up on our DNA. I have no excuses for it.”
Stephen McPherson, ABC’s president of entertainment, was equally sanguine about one of his network’s seedier summer entries.
“ ‘Wipeout’ is just a really fun summer show,” McPherson told skeptical TV critics. “It’s pure escapism.”
McPherson said more episodes of “Wipeout” (that’s the one with the huge balls that an assortment of sad and usually overweight people bounce off of and into a mud pool) likely will be ordered, but probably only for airing in summer. In the most recent Nielsen ratings, “Wipeout” attracted more than 8.5 million viewers, making it seventh on the Top 20 list for that week in July.
It’s hard to argue with the success of some of these show, even though you’ve got to wonder about the appeal. Ranking up there along with the odious “Whipeout” in last week’s Top 20 were NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” (No. 2), Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” (5), NBC’s “Celebrity Family Feud” (12), Fox’s “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader” (15) and CBS’s “Greatest American Dog” (19).
Let’s just hope viewers will refine their tastes a bit when the really good scripted comedies and dramas return.
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July 8, 2008
"Bachelorette" chooses, Haas news stirs mud
Two observations about yesterday:
“The Bachelorette” must have made a true-love choice in last night’s finale.
And seriously, some of you guys are really mean-spirited about our local news folks.
SPOILER ALERT: We’ll dispense with the first obvservation first. “Bachelorette” DeAnna bypassed the classically cute Jason, a 31-year-old account executive, and handed her rose to Jesse, a professional snowboarding dude who looks more than a little goofy.
One can only wonder exactly what DeAnna’s attraction was to this Jesse guy, but love is blind and all that. Will the faux engagement turn into a real marriage? Don’t bet on it.
Now, back to the nasty response to our news that KVUE anchor Christine Haas is leaving Austin to take a job with KHOU in Houston.
Some of you just couldn’t have been nicer, some of you couldn’t have been more cynical and critical. That’s all good. But others, well, it’s a good thing that I get to delete inappropriate blog comments before they appear on line.
If you’re one of those nasty folks (and you know who you are), here’s the guideline for exclusion: no foul language, no exceedingly mean comments about physical attributes, no sexual references, no libelous comments or super-personal suggestions about a person’s private life.
The meanness that accompanied last night’s Haas-news blog spread to other local newsies in speculation about a possible replacement. Some of the comments may be appropriate for TMZ.com but not for this TV blog that proudly waves under the banner of this newspaper.
So keep those comments coming in — make them critical, make them snide and snarky, make them observational, whatever.
But ask yourself: Would I say this to the person’s face? If the answer is no, don’t write it in a public forum.
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July 7, 2008
"The Bachelorette" picks one tonight ... maybe
Tonight’s the night when DeAnna picks her lifetime mate … or not.
“The Bachelorette” has its big two-hour finale tonight at 7 on ABC. DeAnna Pappas, the 26-year-old real estate agent who’s been interviewing potential hubbies since May, plans to take her two finalists to Georgia to meet her family.
This is a standard event in these dating/courting shows, providing contestants ample time to make fools of themselves as they try to impress the parental units. Tonight’s schtick should be no exception.
After the Georgia trek, DeAnna will go on a final date with each of her remaining suitors and then accept or reject a proposal. You may recall that DeAnna has ample experience with televised rejection, having been selected and then NOT proposed to by Austin’s own Brad Womack on last season’s “The Bachelor.”
Will she want revenge now? Or will she want the big diamond and accompanying publicity that would go with a made-for-TV wedding?
Those of you who love this sort of semi-reality will be all a-twitter when the dramaq unfolds. I’m busy with a dirty patio — and just about anything else I can conjure up to do that does NOT involve faux romance.
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June 26, 2008
Check out "Hopkins 24/7" -- stat!
It may be filed under “reality TV” in various listing services, but ABC’s “Hopkins 24/7” is pure documentary. If you have to pick one network series to get hooked on this summer, this one, arriving tonight at 9, is it.
If the title sounds familiar, that’s because the series, set in Baltimore’s prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital, had a summer run in 2000. One of the standout “characters” tracked in those episodes was a young woman from Houston who was battling a brain tumor. Unlike most TV shows, “Hopkins” revealed, after weeks of pulling for her recovery, that she didn’t make it.
Such is the way of real-world medicine, as opposed to “Grey’s Anatomy.” In the six episodes that begin tonight, we’re probably destined to get our hearts broken yet again — either by the patients or one of the over-worked doctors in the spotlight.
My memory may not be razor-sharp on the 2000 episodes, but the new batch seems to focus a bit more on the hospital folks who put their personal lives on hold for years of sleepless nights and grueling training.
One of the stand-outs in the first few episodes is Dr. Brian Bethea, a heart and lung surgeon whose dedication and brilliance at Hopkins is offset by his crumbling marriage at home. It’s a fairly typical scenario: wife puts career aside to put husband through medical school, kids arrive (perhaps too soon) and doctor has no time for family. Pain ensues.
One of the wrenching patient scenarios in the opener involves a young girl who survives a near-drowning but is diagnosed as brain dead. Her family agonizes over whether to keep her on life support.
These intimate portraits are not easy to watch, but the programs are gripping and deeply moving. A bit more fulfilling than, say, the screaming on “Wife Swap.”
Actors’ strike?
Knuckles are turning white all over Hollywood. On the heels of the crippling writers’ strike comes the threat of a strike by the Screen Actors Guild. The walkout could come as early as Monday, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), which represents mostly TV actors, already has a deal in place (but not officially finalized by members); but SAG, which is bigger (70,000 members) and also represents many AFTRA members (40,000 actors are members of both), has not.
Contracts between actors and producers expire June 30. An extension could be put in place if negotiations appear to be productive, but the mood is said to be tense and somewhat dark right now.
Production on TV shows, usually on break in June and most of July, has revved up in case a strike shuts them down. If a few new episodes can be produced, the hope is that a strike would not fatally disrupt the fall season.
At issue, as usual, is the percentage of new media profits that producers are willing to share with actors. SAG claims producers have offered them less than the deal AFTRA appears poised to sign.
The good news in all this bad news? Bargaining continues. Stay tuned.
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June 25, 2008
Farewell to UT grad on MTV's 'Real World'
On tonight’s episode of “Real World,” the housemates learn the sad fate of a University of Texas grad who mentored some of them in their quest for careers in TV news and TV.
Brandon Schantz, a San Francisco, Calif. native who graduated from UT in 2002 with a degree in broadcast journalism, worked with the “RW” kids in this season’s Hollywood edition which began filming in early 2007. In the spring of that year, Schantz was diagnosed with lymphoma but continued working with the kids, even after undergoing surgery in October.
As the series was wrapping up, Schantz, then 27, died on Dec. 6. Tonight on “Real World” (at 9 p.m.), his death is revealed to the housemates, and Nick, in particular, takes it hard.
“He worked for me from 2000 to 2002, when I was at KEYE, and he was just a really special kid,” said meteorologist Troy Kimmel, the chief weather guy for KVET/KASE and a UT lecturer.
Besides the production internship at KEYE, Schantz also interned in the sports department at KXAN while he was at UT. After graduating, he became the sports director for a CBS station in Cheyenne, Wyo. — one of the youngest sports directors in the country at age 22.
The next step in Schantz’s career took him back to California, where he set up a successful production company in Los Angeles. He worked as a videographer with several music groups, including the quintet Rooney.
Friends and family are setting up an endowment in Schantz’s honor at UT’s College of Communication to fund summer internships for students hoping to go into broadcast journalism. Information on Schantz and the fund can be found here: http://brandonschantz.squarespace.com.
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June 24, 2008
'Wipeout' and 'Japanese Game Show' debut on ABC
Scratch tonight off your viewing calendar if you’re not a fan of reality TV. Or watch reruns on CBS, which is the only major broadcast network without reality shows tonight.
Two newcomers debut on ABC: “Wipeout” (7 p.m.) and “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” (8 p.m.). The former puts a series of ill-equipped participants through silly physical challenges, like leaping from one huge pink ball to another without falling into the mud pond below.
The latter sends 10 Americans to Japan to compete in one of that country’s legendary (and highly bizarre) game shows. Hilarity and humiliation ensue.
NBC, which loosely defines celebrity and talent, has “Celebrity Family Feud” (at 7 p.m.) and “America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m.).
The former features Wayne Newton, Vincent Pastore, Adrianne Curry, Christopher Knight, Corben Bernsen, Ice T and Margaret Cho battling with their families in a revival of the old show. The latter is the return of last season’s hit talent show that features everything from wannabe opera singers to sword swallowers.
Fox has “Hell’s Kitchen” all night, and even the CW has “Beauty and the Geek.”
If you punch the remote fast enough, you might be able to swirl all of these realities together for a truly surreal experience.
“Camp Rock” rocked
Friday night’s premiere of “Camp Rock” on the Disney Channel pulled innearly 9 million viewers between the ages of 9 and 14. That’s called a big-time kid/tween hit.
It’s not bigger than “High School Musical” or “High School Musical 2,” but it’s definitely one of the most-watched program among young viewers and all viewers of the calendar year.
“Camp Rock,” which surely will be repeated a gazillion times during the summer, features the wildly popular Jonas Brothers.
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June 12, 2008
"Project Runway" set to return July 16
Finally, at long last, Bravo has announced the fifth-season debut date for “Project Runway” — July 16 at 8 p.m.
Mark you calendars and plan accordingly. I’m thinking cocktails and an assortment of olives on premiere night. At the very least.
Returning to the runway, host/supermodel Heidi Klum heads a panel of industry luminaries, including fashion’s “big gun” Tim Gunn, designer Michael Kors and fashion expert Nina Garcia.
Gunn will once again act as mentor to the young designers as they take on weekly fashion challenges.
The 16 contestants will be whittled down week-by-week to the finalists who will get to show their own lines at New York’s famed Fashion Week.
This will be the final season for “Project Runway” on Bravo. You may recall that Lifetime, in a move that stunned fans and industry insiders alike, snatched the fashionista show for the sixth season in 2009.
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May 22, 2008
'Idol' runner-up Archuleta looked relieved ... seriously!
Did teddy-bear-cute David Archuleta look relieved to lose last night, or am I projecting?
The oft-trembling, weeping 17-year-old kid lost the “American Idol” title to 25-year-old rocker David Cook in last night’s mega-results show on Fox.
Instead of sagging to his knees and sobbing, as he has done when positive comments and thunderous applause were heaped upon him after a sterling performance, Archuleta grinned ear-to-ear and practically skipped off the stage when Cook’s name was called.
Despite Archuleta’s superior vocal skills, Cook was the worthier winner — in style, looks and temperament. It’s easy to see him commanding a major concert venue and keeping his cool amidst throngs of adoring fans.
Archuleta needs a couple of years to digest his new fame; then he’ll be ready. There’s no doubt he’ll land a recording contract and move on to fame and fortune. He’s just not ready.
Last night’s two-hour “Idol” finale moved pretty briskly, considering the occasional moments of excruciating “entertainment,” such as Donna Summer’s oddly unsure performance and a steady stream of so-so rockers — like George Michael.
My favorite moment? The vintage tape of Gladys Knight singing “Midnight Train to Georgia” with new background scenes doctored in featuring Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr., as her wannabe Pips. That was truly inspired.
As always, I worried a bit about Paula’s dangerous dress, which tended to shift in awkward places as she boogied to each song. When she moves and her dress top doesn’t, it’s scary. But all’s well that ends well. Nothing escaped.
Was the “Idol” result a shocking upset, as some pundits have suggested? Nah.
The tweeny-boppers who squealed so loud for Archuleta could never have out-voted the throngs who lifted Cook to victory. It’s easy to picture Cook on tour; it’s hard to imagine Archuleta out in the real world with only his overbearing stage dad to protect him.
Whew! Another “Idol” season over. Feels like school is out now, doesn’t it? Those of us who had become slaves to two nights of “Idol” AND two nights of “Dancing with the Stars” each week are finally free!
Now what?
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May 21, 2008
'Idol' crowns a David tonight, Kristi crowned on 'Dancing' last night
The Dueling Davids certainly gave viewers a contrast to ponder on “American Idol” last night, didn’t they?
Cute Kid (Archuleta) vs. Raspy Rocker (Cook). Nervous-to-the-point of trembling and weeping (Archuleta) vs. Laid-back-to-the-point of falling over and sleeping (Cook).
Judge Simon already has given the win to Archuleta, referring to the kid’s three-song performance as a “knockout” in an awkwardly themed boxing theme show. But tonight we’ll see if an upset is coming in the voting results show, starting at 7 p.m. and groaning on for two hours on Fox.
Doesn’t it seem like this season has lasted forever? I can barely remember the original contestants now. Does anybody even remember Chikezie now? How about scary biker chick Amanda Overmyer? So long ago, so far away.
After tonight, one David will be the Big Winner, while the other one could be an Even Bigger Winner. Some music industry folks believe the “Idol” contract is too restraining, and also-rans, after receiving tons of exposure and acquiring millions of fans through the show, actually make out better than the winner.
I mean, who do you remember most, Taylor Hicks or Chris Daughtry? Ruben Studdard or Clay Aiken? Tonight’s loser could very well be the real winner.
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May 20, 2008
'Dancing' winner crowned tonight, 'Idol' smackdown of the Davids tonight too!
Last night dancers danced; tonight the big mirror ball will be awarded on the “Dancing with the Stars” finale, a two-hour extravaganza, starting at 8 on ABC.
And (this is a BIG night for reality TV, folks) tonight at 7 the two Davids take to the stage for their final singing showdown on Fox’s “American Idol.” Wednesday night at 7, in a splashy finale sure to be filled with dozens of commercials and a few surprises, the 2008 winner will be crowned.
So much to watch, so much to say … where to start?
OK, since “Dancing” ends tonight, I’ll rush out onto a limb and predict that Kristi Yamaguchi and her partner Mark will win. And if they don’t, they should have won.
It’s swell that Latino heart-throb Cristian de la Fuente soldiered through the competition with a torn bicep tendon, but truth be told, he’s all hip-swiveling and blinding white teeth but little else. His partner Cheryl gets kudos for choreographing complicated dances for a one-armed man.
Surprisingly graceful (because he’s about 9-feet tall) football player Jason Taylor has been a thrill to watch, but, again, the super-skills just aren’t there. His partner Edyta does most of the moves and lets Jason swoop around and look elegant and gorgeous. Feet? Not so fabulous. And the Latin dances have been stiff.
That leaves Kristi. The knock on her from the beginning has been that, as an Olympic figure skater (not to mention Gold medal winner), she has a tiny, perfectly athletic leg up on the competition. She’s used to moving to music, she’s remarkably limber and she’s had some classic dance training. But, as Kristi pointed out in the beginning, she was not accustomed to even walking in high heels, let alone dancing in them.
So give her the mirror ball. It’s time for a woman to win anyway, after four seasons of guy winners. Oh, and Usher sings on the finale tonight.
Now, back to “Idol” where we know for certain that David will win after tonight’s showdown — we just don’t know which David.
If the tweeny-boppers have their way (and all those sequined cell phones start pumping up the votes tonight), 17-year-old David Archuleta will be crowned Wednesday.
But if more mature “Idol” fans come through, the recording contract will go to 25-year-old rocker David Cook, who has been spectacular and unique all season long.
Archuleta is cute as a teddy bear, but the next “Idol” needs to be edgier and more mature. Cute is fine for a TV show, but it’s probably not going to fill concert venues or sell CDs. That means the winner is/should be Cook.
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May 7, 2008
‘Sex' ends on Mother's Day, Jason (please) off ‘Idol' tonight
“Talk Sex” ends on Mother’s Day! Is there deeper meaning in the timing? We hope not.
Oxygen’s “Talk Sex” (11 p.m. Sundays), the sometimes shockingly frank call-in show hosted by 77-year-old Sue Johanson, bids farewell on Mother’s Day.
After six seasons on American cable TV (and 32 years altogether on the air), Johanson, a spritely Canadian nurse with a penchant for doling out sex advice, has decided to call it quits.
Oxygen insists it did not cancel the show, which is the network’s most popular late-night series.
“I’m going to miss playing with sex toys,” Johanson told the Associated Press.
Sunday night’s finale, appropriately, will feature the hostess-with-the-mostess counting down the year’s Top 10 Sex Toys.
Slacker Castro out tonight? Please?
Have “American Idol” voters finally come to their senses?
Let’s hope so, because if Jason Castro doesn’t get axed tonight, I’m gonna throw stuff at my TV.
We know the blue-eyed, dreadlocked Texan (and Aggie!!) has a following. No doubt. We just don’t know why.
Some might call his demeanor dreamy; I call it stoned. He drifts around the stage, batting his eyelashes, looking shy and totally out to lunch. A few weeks ago the cameras caught him yawning and practically nodding off as he waited to perform.
Last night, as if the slacker persona weren’t bad enough, Jason forgot the lyrics to his second song, Bob Dylan’s iconic “Mr. Tambourine Man.” If you’re going to mess up a Dylan song, mess up the tune, not the words. Dylan songs are all about the words.
At this point, I don’t really care who wins out of the remaining trio.
David Cook seems the most likely, but Syesha Mercado was brilliant last night. OK, I admit it. I actually cried during her performance of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Huggable boy-toy David Archuleta, a long-time favorite of the judges and screaming tweens, is a 17-year-old wunderkind with terrific talent — but missing some heat due to his boyish adorableness.
Just PLEASE get rid of Jason Castro. He didn’t belong in the Top 10, and he certainly doesn’t belong in the final.
Results are tonight at 8 on Fox.
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April 29, 2008
Another 'Dancing' dancer crumples
Another dance, another crumpled dancer.
“Dancing with the Stars” is proving that dance is more contact sport than performance artistry. In case you missed last night’s competition, Chilean TV star Cristian de la Fuente pulled a muscle in his bulging arm during a samba with pro partner Cheryl Burke.
It was obvious something was wrong when de la Fuente’s swiveling hips stopped swiveling — and, finally, when he dropped Burke on the floor in a big, feathery poof.
Host Tom Bergeron wasn’t quite sure what to do, so he went to commercial as the super-hunky (can teeth actually be that white?) Chilean grimaced and gripped his arm. After the break, the wounded bird, with an ice pack strapped to his arm, received his not-so-good scores: three sevens. Bummer. And possibly unfair.
We werer told that EMS had swooped in during the ad and diagnosed de la Fuente’s injury as a “severe muscle cramp,” but today more people are saying it’s a pulled muscle, which is different and worse. We’ll find out in tonight’s results show (8 p.m. on ABC) whether the actor will be able to twirl farther in the competition.
Last season Marie Osmond fainted and plopped to the floor. This year, pro dancer Derek Hough injured his neck during rehearsal and then later came down with food poisoning.
It’s surprising there aren’t more injuries on the live telecasts. The dances (Latin, ballroom, whatever) are difficult and highly athletic to begin with, and to show off on TV, the pros always load ‘em up with even more daring moves. Presumably the threat of bodily harm simplys adds to the drama.
Entertainment Weekly’s super-snarky take on the current “Dancing” season claims this is the worst of the show’s six seasons. I beg to differ. I think the celebrity contestants, especially bubbly Marissa Jaret Winokur, are an especially entertaining group — folks you really want to root for in the competition.
And, really, isn’t Cockney-accented judge Len Goodman a major hoot? Half the time you can’t figure out exactly what he’s saying, but it’s fun trying.
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April 21, 2008
Huh? President Bush on 'Deal or No Deal'
While John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are on the campaign trail trying to convince Americans they are just plain folks, President Bush pops up tonight on a give-away reality show, thus making himself the ultimate “regular guy.”
On “Deal or No Deal” (7 p.m. on NBC), Bush appears in a pre-taped message from the White House, thanking contestant Joseph Kobes for his service in the Iraq War. Kobe is an Army captain who received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star during three tours of duty in Iraq.
The game show is taped and in the can, but NBC is keeping mum on Kobe’s quest for the $1 million prize. Did the presidential kudo and good-luck message help? We don’t know, but because Kobe says he wants to win the money to pay off his parents’ home, well, surely luck will be on his side.
‘Gossip Girl’ returns to TV but not Web
The CW is hoping to drive viewers to its teen saga “Gossip Girl” on TV, which is sort of an odd concept in this digital multimedia age.
The show returns tonight at 7 with new episodes, and for the next five weeks, the show will be available only on TV. Online streaming will not be available for these new episodes, but viewers can stream the previous 12 episodes on cwtv.com.
Why the focus on regular old broadcast TV? Network execs are probably thrilled with the pre-return buzz for “Gossip Girl” and hope to squeeze big bucks out of TV advertisers with the notion of an “exclusive showing.” Web ads, as we all know, don’t pull in the revenue that on-air ads do.
The CW will have post-episode interviews with creator Josh Schwartz, behind-the-scenes video of the case and contests for fans hosting viewing parties.
Cindy McCain co-hosts ‘The View’ today
So, now that Barbara Walters has had John McCain’s wife Cindy co-host “The View” (she’s on today at 10 a.m. on KVUE), won’t she have to invite Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton to co-host sometime in the near future, too?
Seems only fair. The stunning Miss Cindy isn’t/wasn’t simply a guest on the show; she is/was co-hosting with Walters. That’s a different level of exposure.
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April 15, 2008
Who shrunk the most on 'Biggest Loser?' And other hot stuff.
Who’s gonna be the big winner on “Biggest Loser?” We’ll find out tonight in the live finale at 7 p.m. on NBC.
This grueling competition among fat people desperate to shrink remains one of NBC’s biggest reality hits, and the big hype this time is that the show might finally have a female winner after five seasons of male triumphs.
If the promos are any indication, the crown tonight will go to the now-tiny and very muscular Ali, who has dropped almost 99 pounds and picked up the most amazingly ripped abs I’ve ever seen. Did they surgically tighten her skin after all those pounds disappeared? Maybe. Whatever. She looks fantastic now.
The other gal in the running is the beautiful blonde Kelly, who has lost lots of weight but still carries a slightly zaftig shape. Will viewers go for curves or washboards? We’ll see.
The two-hour finale, if tradition holds, will be rife with giggling, sobbing and other extreme forms of human emotion.
Cross your fingers today!
The Screen Actors Guild, minus former partner union AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), has begun contract negotiations with producers in hopes of avoiding a strike come June.
On the heels of the industry-crippling writers strike, an actors strike could prove doubly devastating to the entertainment industry — and especially television.
AFTRA broke away from SAG earlier this month, which was seen as a big negative for a peaceful settlement. But if SAG is successful, AFTRA, which begins its negotiations April 28, will feel strong pressure to follow suit.
Hillary and Colbert
Sounds like painful viewing, but Hillary Clinton has decided to risk a potentially embarrassing visit to Comedy Central’s “Colbert Report” on Thursday night (at 10:30). Just days before the Pennsylvania primary, the senator from New York will take on the fake right-wing political pundit Stephen Colbert.
Barack Obama declined the invitation, so the Illinois senator’s wife Michelle will joust with Colbert on tonight’s “Report.” Maybe Barack will pop in for a surprise visit.
John McCain and Mike Huckabee have fared well with Colbert, but there’s always a risk of leaving with egg splattered all over your face.
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April 8, 2008
'Idol' and 'Dancing with the Stars' dial 911!
Can all this health drama on reality shows be real?
It all started with Marie Osmond passing out on “Dancing with the Stars” last season. Thump! She hit the floor on live television. A quick commercial break covered the sprawling contestant, and by the time the show came back from the break, Marie was on her feet, batting those enormous false eyelashes and smiling.
This season professional dancer Derek Hough, who is paired with the increasingly fabulous (and amazingly long-legged) Shannon Elizabeth, snapped something in his neck during rehearsal and was sidelined with a neckbrace for a week. Heightened tension accompanied Hough’s performance last night, but the guy appeared to be miraculously healed after his ambulance trip to the hospital.
For tonight’s elimination (8 p.m. on ABC), look for a re-hash of the trials and tribulations suffered by the dancers. Cue the violins.
Meanwhile, over on “American Idol” (7 tonight on Fox), the season started with at least half the cast coming down with the flu, bronchitis and other voice-threatening viruses. Then last week, rocker David Cook made his very own ambulance trip after his already high blood pressure spiked and set off a wave of panic among the production crew.
It’s understandable that contestants on “Survivor” would suffer injuries and health woes, but you’d think song-and-dance competitions could avoid such emergencies. If hosts Ryan Seacrest (“Idol”) and Tom Bergeron (“Dancing”) collapse, we’ll know something’s fishy.
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March 31, 2008
Klutzes gone, 'Dancing' takes off!
Now that the gigantic (and gigantically clumsy) magician Penn Jillette and wooden tennis pro Monica Seles have been voted off the dance floor, “Dancing with the Stars” is getting good.
Tonight (7 to 8:30 p.m. on ABC) we’ve been promised a scorching hot tango by rapper-turned-hoofer Mario. And, by the way, the romance rumors already are swirling about Mario and his professional partner Karina Smirnoff. Both deny, natch, but the duo really can steam up the room.
It’s way too early to tell where this season will wind up, but in the early going, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi has been getting the best scores from the judges — and deservedly so. Let’s face it, figure skaters are trained to be graceful, and many of the women skaters have ballet training.
But as Kristi pointed out in the first episode, when asked if she had an advantage over other competitors, she’s not used to moving her feet without skates on — and she’s not used to even walking in high heels, let alone spinning.
Priscilla Presley has surprised viewers and judges with her dramatic moves. It’s a crying shame her face doesn’t move as gracefully has her body.
As always, voting viewers will have the final say. If the judges give fabulous scores to a team that nobody votes for, that team doesn’t have a prayer. It’s a popularity contest as well as a dance contest, so contenders have to do the work and work the crowd.
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March 18, 2008
'Dancing' with stars and clunkers!
The guys were first up on the new season of “Dancing with the Stars” last night, and the half-dozen wannabes have, as the judges all said, a lot of work to do.
Only two were remotely pleasant to watch: Miami Dolphins defensive player Jason Taylor and 21-yearold R&B/pop sensation Mario. Both young men produced squeals of delight from the studio audience — and, presumably, a few female oglers at home.
With music in his bones (he does a little dancing on stage as a singer), Mario looked like a natural — graceful, sharp and full of charisma. Football fellow Jason looked a bit uneasy at first, prancing around a dance floor for the first time. But he’s so long and elegant-looking, with that blinding smile and soon-to-be-better dance steps, you just get the feeling that he might be the one to watch. Remember Emmitt Smith? Yep, some football players can cut a rug. Maybe it’s that competitive fire.
The most likely to be bumped quickly? Penn Jillette, the talkative half of the juggling illusionist team of Penn and Teller. Penn is large and clumsy and makes those turns like a battleship in a too-tight harbor. Also likely to exit soon? Radio host/comedian Adam Corolla. If you’re going to talk while you’re competitive dancing, you’ve got a focus problem. And he’s got one.
There’s always one “Dancing” contender who’s not very good but who charms voters into thinking he should continue, and that’s actor Steve Guttenburg this time. He was just so happy to be there he couldn’t stop yammering after his not-so-hot dance performance. Audiences love a happy hoofer, especially one with severely limited skills (we identify with him!), so I’m looking for Steve to stick around.
Chilean actor Cristian de la Fuente might have hot latino blood, as he mentioned multiple times in his predance feature segment, but he looks more like a bullfighter. Hunched back, dangling arms — not good. He’s very handsome and could improve, but expectations run high for a gorgeous latino, and Cristian was a major disappointment.
The ladies take to the dance floor tonight at 8:30 p.m. on ABC. Tennis great Monica Seles looks shockingly tall, doesn’t she? Let’s see if she can dance …
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February 19, 2008
New 'Dancing' celebs: They're h-e-e-e-e-r-e!
Surprise, surprise! The dozen semi-celebs who will compete in the sixth edition of “Dancing with the Stars” look better than usual — and they all improve so much that we could be looking at the best group ever.
When “Dancing” returns March 17 (on ABC), we’ll see actors, comics, athletes, singers and magicians. Last time it was a big deal that Heather Mills McCarthy, now entangled in a super-nasty divorce with Beatle Paul, competed. You might recall she has one fake leg but did a pretty decent job of hoofing it up.
This time around one of the celebrity dancers will be actor Marlee Matlin, who is deaf and might be able to hear the beat of the music but not the music itself.
In alphabetical order, here’s the twinkle-toe lineup, as announced last night on the truly dreadful spinoff “Bruno vs. Carrie Ann” finale:
ADAM CAROLLA — A Los Angeles TV and radio personality who hosts his own morning drive show. He’s also an actor-comedian who hosts Comedy Central’s “The Man Show” and the long-running radio show “Loveline” with Dr. Drew Pinsky.
CRISTIÁN DE LA FUENTE — A Chilean actor famous for Spanish-language telenovelas such as “Como ama una mujer.” He was also a regular on “Family Law” and “CSI: Miami.”
SHANNON ELIZABETH — Actress/model whose films include “American Pie” and “Scary Movie.” Models have bad luck on “Dancing with the Stars.”
STEVE GUTTENBERG — Actor who starred in “Police Academy,” “Three Men and a Baby,” “Short Circuit,” “Cocoon,” “Diner” and “The Boys from Brazil.”
MARIO — Multiplatinum selling R&B/pop singer and actor known for “Just a Friend” and “Let Me Love You.” He also appeared in the dance movie “Step Up,” which maybe should disqualify him.
MARLEE MATLIN — Academy Award winner for her film debut in “Children of a Lesser God,” the actor also had recurring roles on “The West Wing,” “The L-Word,” “Nip/Tuck” and “Desperate Housewives.” Deaf since early childhood.
PENN JILLETTE — The talking half of the famous illusionist team of Penn & Teller. The duo is a major attraction in Las Vegas.
PRISCILLA PRESLEY — Elvis’ ex-wife starred in the “Naked Gun” films and the popular nighttime soap “Dallas.” She looks incredibly clumsy, but maybe she’s not.
MONICA SELES — Tennis champ and holder of nine grand slam singles titles. After a spectator stabbed her in the back on the court, she lost her edge but returned for one final grand slam (Australian Open) in 1996.
JASON TAYLOR — Last year’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Taylor has played defensive end for the Miami Dolphins for more than a decade.
MARISSA JARET WINOKUR — Created the role of Tracy Turnblad in the hit Broadway musical “Hairspray,” for which she won a Tony and Drama Desk Award.
KRISTI YAMAGUCHI — An Olympic gold medalist (1992) and world champion, she’s one of the most popular skaters ever. Strong and graceful, she should ace the competition.
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February 18, 2008
'Bruno/Carrie Ann' finale: who cares? Except for one thing ...
The only reason to watch the bloated “Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann” finale tonight has nothing to do with the lame spinoff reality show itself.
No, the only reason to tune into ABC tonight is to see the next batch of celebrities revealed who will hoof it up on “Dancing with the Stars.” Who will be the next B-list celeb to drop 20 pounds and surprise us, as Marie Osmond did last time? Who will be the athlete who surprises us with his grace, as Emmitt Smith did the season before last?
“Dancing” returns to the network March 17, so mark your calendars.
“Bruno vs. Carrie Ann” was an ill-conceived spinoff featuring teams of singers/dancers under the direction of “Dancing” judges Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba. A desperate concept poorly executed, the show limps off the air tonight after the winning team is announced.
Oh, and host Drew Lachey performs, in case that thought gets you going. The two-hour finale, which has not been a strike-proof phenom like Fox’s equally awful but oddly popular “Moment of Truth,” might get a rating bump at the end, when the “Dancing” cast is scheduled to be announced.
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January 29, 2008
Danger! Babies on reality TV!!
I was preparing to spew forth about NBC’s frightening new reality show “The Baby Borrowers” when the network announced that the show will not premiere Monday, Feb. 18 as planned.
It’s not gone for good, but at least it’s gone for now. Whew.
What was this dreaded concoction? “The Baby Borrowers” is described by the creative publicity folks at NBC as “a unique social experiment.” They failed to mention that five children, including infants, might be placed in mortal danger.
The show would take five teenage couples and challenge them to parent children ranging in age from infant to toddler to preteen to young teen to senior citizen. The couples would live in real houses, work jobs and handle day-to-day responsibilities such as paying the bills, mowing the grass and, oh yes, taking care of the kids.
This concept not only sounds dangerous, it sounds depressing. There might be a greater mission in the producer’s mind than drawing a crowd. Maybe he hoped to highlight the perils of teen sex and pregnancy. But I doubt it. “Baby Borrowers” just seems like another shocking attempt to attract disaster-hungry viewers.
NBC says “Baby Borrowers” will “join the schedule at a later date.” In its place on Feb. 18 will be another kid-related reality show, “My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad,” which at least doesn’t sound quite as dreadful.
The replacement reality is described as a family-friendly version of “Fear Factor” — a competition pitting teams of fathers leading their kids through a series of stunts and challenges that test dad’s physical, mental and parenting skills. Winners get money to put toward their children’s future.
Sigh … still dreaming of an end to the writers’ strike and all this reality hoo-ha …
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January 16, 2008
'Idol' off to a good start
Alternately cringing and grinning, I made it through last night’s seventh season opener of “American Idol.”
OK, I didn’t just make it through … I secretly loved most of it. Usually I hate this phase of “Idol,” when the embarrassing parts squeeze out the entertaining parts. But last night was pretty darn good. I’m sorry.
The folks in Philadelphia led the audition episodes, with some genuine talent and a bevy of borderline nut jobs. But the best moment — and the one that signals this season just might be less cruel than last season in this stage — was the judging trio’s response to a sweet girl named Temptress.
The 16-year-old had a not-so-fabulous audition and tried to take the rejection like a grown-up, but tears began to flow and just wouldn’t stop. Paula, Randy and, yes, even Simon offered words of encouragement and then got up and group-hugged her. Then they walked her back to the lobby and told her mother how much they liked her — but not as a singer.
Sniff, sniff. Nicely done. Reality show with heart. Loved it.
Tonight we move on to the Dallas auditions, which, as evidenced by the promos, appear to have some of the strangest looking wannabes ever.
For all things “Idol,” be sure to keep up with my friend and colleague Gary Dinges, whose “Idol Chatter” blog is the best thing you’ll read on the blockbuster reality show, hands down. It’s smart, funny and totally cool.
Speaking of bloggers …
Austin PBS station KLRU is looking for submissions for its community journalism series “Docubloggers.” The topic for a special contest is “Reflections on Life in Central Texas.” The first-place winner will receive a video camera, and the winning video will be telecast on the series’ Feb. 21st episode.
Submissions that aren’t included in the telecast will be featured on the show’s online site at klru.org/docubloggers.
Videos should be between 30 seconds and 5 minutes in length and must be received by Feb. 15. Submit online at klru.org/docubloggers or send DVDs or tapes to Docubloggers Contest, KLRU-TV, P.O. Box 7158, Austin, TX 78713.
“Docubloggers” received a 2007 Lone Star Emmy for its pilot. The series airs Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on KLRU.
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January 10, 2008
Oh, boy! Watch celebs slur and spit on VH1's 'Celebrity Rehab'
Voyeur TV reaches a new low (and that’s saying a lot) with the arrival of VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew” (9 tonight).
Dr. Drew Pinsky, a buff psychiatry professor at the University of Southern California, peeks in on his VIP patients at the Pasadena Recovery Center. A major camera hog, Dr. Drew, who also hosts the radio show “Loveline,” casts a semi-worried grin over an assortment of horrors, with scenes of actor Jeff Conaway (“Taxi,” “Grease”) by far the worst.
Slurring and slouched in a wheelchair, Conaway has a seizure and winds up in the emergency room. His speech is so incomprehensible that subtitles are used. Poor Conaway, who bombed out of another VH1 reality show (“Celebrity Fit Club”) to go to rehab, is the “star” of the first episode.
Dr. Drew describes himself as an “addictionologist” but seems more interested in celebrity meltdowns and tantrums and medical treatment of addiction. Detox? It’s there somewhere because promotional scenes depict various famous folk with their heads in toilets.
Other patients include Brigitte Nielsen, B-movie actress and former Mrs. Sly Stallone; Joanie Laurer, the wrestler known as Chyna Doll; and porn star Mary Carey. You get the drift.
“Celebrity Rehab” would be funny if it weren’t so seedy and sad. Not only are these patients struggling with addiction, they’re also struggling to retrieve their celebrity. What could be more depressing than someone so willing to be in the limelight that barfing on TV is a plus?
VH1 is promoting this trainwreck as an informational series about substance abuse and addiction. Shame, shame.
Look quick! New episodes tonight!
Several network shows return with new episodes, but in the case of the wildly popular “Grey’s Anatomy,” it’s the last one — at least until the writers’ strike is over.
“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC) deals with a medical emergency involving Dr. Bailey’s young son.
Also tonight, we have new episodes of ABC’s “Ugly Betty” (7 p.m.) and “Big Shots” (9 p.m.), CBS’s “CSI” (8 p.m.) and “Without a Trace” (9 p.m.) and NBC’s “My Name Is Earl” (7 p.m.), “30 Rock” (7:30 p.m.) and “ER” (9 p.m.)
Enjoy ‘em while they last.
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December 27, 2007
'Idol' planning time is here
For the truly “Idol” obsessed, Fox has announced a schedule for the first part of its seventh season of the blockbuster reality series, starting with the premiere and concluding with performances by the Top 12 contestants.
Mark your calendars accordingly:
“American Idol” returns with a two-night, four-hour extravaganza on Jan. 15 and Jan. 16. The Tuesday-Wednesday schedule featuring those ear-splitting rejects will continue for eight episodes and 10 hours. Lordy. The auditions, which draw wannabes from all over the country, were held last summer in San Diego; Dallas; Omaha, Neb.; Atlanta; Charleston, S.C.; Miami and Philadelphia.
The first “Hollywood Round,” at which point the truly awful allegedly will be gone, is Feb. 12. If you’re like me, this is the point at which you can watch “Idol” without cringing or cursing. The next night the Top 24 will be revealed. On Feb. 19 and Feb. 20, the top dozen guys and the top dozen gals will perform, with the elimination of two men and two women on Feb. 21.
Guys on Tuesdays, gals on Wednesdays and elimination announcements Thursdays will continue until the Top 12 are announced on March 6. All of which means the really talented folks will warble for the first time in a two-hour episode on March 11, with the single-contestant whacking process to begin on March 12.
The finale will air sometime in May. No date yet because Fox will want to drag this out as long as corporately possible with home-town visits and assorted “specials.”
“American Idol” has shown no signs of cooling off in its previous six seasons, and this new season — coming as it does in the midst of a strike-plagued season filled with reruns and uncertainty — could catapult it into the stratosphere.
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November 28, 2007
Bravo, Helio! 'Dancing' champ deserved the mirror ball
Suddenly my Mondays and Tuesdays are free … shall I read a book? Go to the gym? Or wait for the next edition of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars?”
Probably the latter. The other choices are way too taxing for this time of year.
Last night’s “Dancing” finale was fabulous. Brazilian race-car driver Helio Castroneves definitely deserved to win. Besides hoofing skills, he was by far the most fun contestant to watch. Host Tom Bergeron called it charisma, but to me Helio’s appeal was his infectious grin and the fact that he was having the time of his life and brought the audience along with him.
OK, “Scary Spice” Mel B was possibly the better dancer. And Marie Osmond, 48, might have been the sentimental favorite because of her in-season traumas and middle-aged years. But that rag-doll dance Monday night assured her departure in the first 20 minutes of last night’s finale. Bye-bye, Marie. You were funny and fun to watch.
Helio and his cute-as-a-button professional partner Julianne Hough sparkled for 10 whole weeks. There’s no way to know for sure, but I suspect Julianne brought in a good chunk of the votes herself. Bubbly and wildly talented, Julianne helped speed skating champ Apolo Anton Ohno win the dancing contest last season, too. She was as much of a draw as Helio.
While I enjoyed “Dancing with the Stars,” I have absolutely no interest in the upcoming spinoff, “Dance Wars.” Judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli will train a bunch of singers and dancers and compete as teams. Zzzzzzzz … Plus Drew Lache will host. Double-zzzzzzzz. Color me gone.
From Malcolm to homicidal maniac?
Yep, that seedy looking guy in tonight’s episode of “Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS) is Frankie Muniz, previously the adorable “Malcolm in the Middle.”
Muniz, who turns 22 on Dec. 5, plays a famous comic-book artist who, according to press material, “helps” the FBI team search for a serial killer in Los Angeles. What do you want to bet he turns out to be the serial killer?
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November 27, 2007
One last 'Dancing;' who will win?
It seems like forever ago, but it’s really only been 10 weeks since Wayne Newton, Floyd Mayweather and Mark Cuban lumbered onto the floor in “Dancing with the Stars.”
The rotten apples have long since gone (along with at least one really good one, Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan), so tonight at 8 we’ll have the bloated, two-hour results. If you’ve followed the show all season, you can skip all the recaps and tune into about the last 15 minutes for an end to the suspense and the crowning of the winner.
Who’s going to win?
Going on judges’ points alone, that would have to be “Scary” Spice Girl Melanie Brown. But public voting counts big in this competition, and Marie Osmond has a surprisingly ardent fan base. She’s been surrounded by lots of drama, which might have contributed to the appeal: She fainted, her father died and her son wound up in rehab. Plus she really IS fun to watch, all grins and gumption.
But Marie’s rag-doll freestyle dance last night might have killed her chances. The usually fawning judge Bruno Tonioli described it as a bizarre combination of “Baby Jane and the Bride of Chucky.” That was too kind. It was awful.
Race-car champ Helio Castroneves also has been a huge fan favorite this season, in no small part because of his enthusiasm, mile-wide smile and his hugely talented partner Julianne Hough. He’s probably improved the most as a dancer and has had the most fun of anybody. Voters like that.
After winnowing to three from the original dozen, “Dancing” is down to one final surprise, and I can’t really pick a winner. How about you?
NBC renews two newcomers
With the writers’ strike now in its fourth week, it might be a moot point, but NBC has given full-season renewals to “Chuck” and “Life.” The former isn’t a big surprise, but the latter sort of is — “Life” has been sagging sadly in the ratings.
And speaking of the strike, negotiations are continuing this week between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The talks are being conducted in secret and under a media blackout, so we don’t have a clue what’s happening.
But as long as they’re talking, there’s hope.
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November 21, 2007
'Dancing' toward the finale!
Jennie Garth, whose career peaked years ago on “Beverly Hills 90210,” was sent packing on last night’s “Dancing with the Stars” semifinal — after delivering her best performance ever Monday night. Go figure. Maybe viewers got tired of watching her do that weird thing with her mouth.
Left to twirl again in next week’s finale are Marie Osmond, whose popularity has grown from week to week (sympathy for fainting? losing her father? slogging through a divorce? 16-year-old son in rehab?); charismatic race car champ Helio Castroneves; and super-muscular “Scary” Spice Girl Melanie Brown.
Poor Jennie. Just when she got her confidence going and seemed to finally be enjoying herself. Zapped like a bug at a barbecue. The Yummy Mummy, as the ridiculously effusive judge Bruno Tonioli dubbed her, ended her competitive hoofing career with a fragile grin.
What next? Helio consistently lands the highest scores, but Marie and the entire Osmond clan apparently remain beloved icons among the viewing public. Don’t be surprised if she wins that huge, hideous trophy — unless her dances next week are marred by total ineptitude or crashing falls.
The final performance airs Monday with the winner crowned on Tuesday. So far this season, ABC’s hot reality show has sucked in more than 28 million viewers each week.
‘Bachelor&’ Finale Part II
Rumors or wishful thinking? Tuesday, after Monday night’s ridiculous no-proposal conclusion to Austinite Brad Womack’s run on “The Bachelor,” rumors swirled that something interesting might happen on Tuesday night’s “After the Final Rose” episode.
Wrong. Nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. Brad did not change his mind and pop the question to DeAnna or Jenni — or any of the other rejects — as had been speculated on talk radio.
Looking more and more like a sad-eyed loser, Brad tried to explain himself to the women he dumped — thus revealing why the guy owns a bunch of bars in Austin but can’t seem to find a date in his home town.
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November 20, 2007
'Bachelor' ripoff
It’s the journey, not the destination.
If you believe that, maybe you aren’t feeling ripped off by last night’s “Bachelor” finale. But if you think the destination has some merit, you must be royally ticked off that Austin bar owner Brad Womack bailed on his assignment.
He was supposed to pick from two finalists — Jenni and DeAnna. And he led us on with his pained decision-making, fretting and oodling over both as “almost perfect.” Turns out almost wasn’t nearly enough, and when it came time to bestow the engagement ring, Brad wept and faded to black.
Cluck cluck.
Boy, if that doesn’t sound the death knell for “The Bachelor,” I don’t know what will. For weeks we’ve been led on by the winnowing process. We’ve watch the oh-so-sincere Brad bloke babble on about how special each and every contestant was.
Turns out Brad, like a gazillion other woeful bachelor types, suffers from fear of commitment.
In the early going of the finale, Brad shopped for a ring, agonized over his breaking heart, ditched Jenni and decided that DeAnna would be the perfect wife. Then he stiffed DeAnna.
Tonight all the ladies will return and, we hope, bash Brad to smithereens for leading them all on. What a waste of time.
Katie Couric speechless?
CBS News writers haven’t had a pay raise in three years and are likely to go on strike Monday.
Does that mean Kat