Archive: January 2010 (41-50 of 52)

Jan 8 2010 09:40 AM ET

'Celebrity Rehab' season premiere: 'Someone calls me a whore, it's a compliment'

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Categories: Celebrity Rehab, Dr. Drew, Reality TV, Television, TV Last Night, TV Review

So the self-glorifying misery starts again. The new season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew premiered last night with a fresh batch of moldy stars nursing addictions and grudges.

A sullen Dennis Rodman was in denial, saying, “I’m way beyond this. I don’t need [treatment]. I’m here because of court, simple as that.”

Mackenzie Phillips said, “I sort of pioneered that ‘teen star gone wrong on drugs’ thing.” She and former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr, another newbie to the show, had no idea who another patient, country-music star Mindy McCready, was. McCready arrived with lots of painkillers in her bag, confiscated by the show’s long-suffering Shelly.

“I’m Heidi Fleiss and I was the greatest madam that ever lived,” said Fleiss. “Every woman’s a hooker to me. Someone calls me a whore, it’s a compliment.” Well, it shouldn’t be difficult to come up with group therapy topics for her. Fleiss asked Shelly whether this was “real rehab, not pretend-rehab.” Shelly assured it was real.

But is it? That’s always the question with this show. Lionized recently by The New York Times, Dr. Drew Pinksy hosts with his usual serene calm, and isn’t afraid to reveal his own ego. He began the premiere with a voiceover that said these recovery attempts have “changed me forever.” Not necessarily the patients: him.

This whole first episode was a bit of a tease, because the arguably most volatile personality, Tom Sizemore doesn’t arrive until the next edition. It’s all set up to lure more viewers into watching the interaction between Sizemore and former lover Fleiss, who has accused the star of Heat of beating her, among other things.

Is putting these two in the same rehab program going to help either of them? Or is this the most blatant evidence of what a cynical show Celebrity Rehab is?


Jan 8 2010 07:19 AM ET

Craig Ferguson on the Jay Leno move: See the host discuss Leno and 'the crappiest late-night show'

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Categories: Conan O'Brien, Controversy, Craig Ferguson, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, Talk Shows, Television, TV Last Night

It’s being widely reported that Jay Leno may move to 11 p.m. or 11:30, depending on the source. Leno himself joked about it last night. But as for the late-night competition? Only Craig Ferguson spent the opening moments of his outlet, the Late Late Show, discussing the most important thing happening in his industry:

“I don’t know if it is true, but this is the rumor I’ve heard this is what is going around the late night circles,” said Ferguson. “Jay moves to 11:30 and does a half-hour show between 11:30 and 12. Then Conan does 12 to 1 and then Fallon does 1 till 2.  I think that is what the rumor is tonight.  When I look at… NBC making this terrible mess of the schedule, guys that they are moving are real nice guys… Anyway, I just want to assure you of this: I do like to think that we still make the crappiest late night TV show.  When all is said and done we will be remembered that… we sucked at the same damn time ever night.   Every night join me right here and you will get your regular dose of suck.”

Leno joked about the situation himself. But once again, Ferguson proves he’ll go where no other late-night host will go… for now. Keep up the flow of info, and the flow of anti-suckage, Craig!

For more on the late-night news:

NBC considering pushing ‘Jay Leno Show’ back to 11:35

Jay Leno jokes about cancellation rumors


Jan 7 2010 11:36 AM ET

'Friday Night Lights' recap: 'The Toilet Bowl' was a lot better than it sounds

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Categories: Dramas, Friday Night Lights, Sports, TV Recap

Friday Night Lights has now reached the point where its new characters have earned equal footing with fan favorites such as Tim Riggins and Landry. And it’s about time, since I think we’re about half-way through the season, aren’t we?

This week’s episode took us on a college road trip with Julie and Tami, and if their squabbling didn’t result in a murder (can anyone ever look at a college-tour TV episode and not think of the one in The Sopranos‘ first season?), it returned Julie to the screechy, self-absorbed brat we know and love. And I mean that as praise and as someone who knows first-hand how a child’s daily moods (in Julie’s case, still morose over her Matt break-up) can completely kill a day meant to introduce that child to the beauties of a college campus and four future years of higher education, partying free of parents, and hundreds of chances to forget the guy you’re stressing over now. I sort of figured Julie would pull it together at the last minute to ace her Boston College interview, even as I hoped FNL wouldn’t resort to such an easy plot twist, but I chalk that up to the season’s cramped plot quarters: so many stories to serve, too few subtle mood-transitions to make.

More drama crucial to future plots that may or may not pay off occurred at Riggins Rigs. While Tim now has the dreamy squint-eyes for those 25 acres of farm-land he wants to purchase (more space to throw empty beer cans around?), he discovered that bro Billy was using his spare time to use the Rigs space as a chop shop for That Furious Guy Who Quit The Lions Early On, who’ll pay him big illegal bucks to break down stolen cars for parts. This is a subplot that I just don’t find rewarding for the long-term. What’s the best that can happen? Billy makes a lotta dough to support his new wife and kid? No: more like, Billy ends up either in jail or in a fight he’s sure to loose with That Furious Guy.

Oh, well, at least we had “the Toilet Bowl,” the derisive name given to a match-up between the Lions and a supposedly lousy team, the Timberwolves. The game proved unexpectedly exciting (even That Furious Guy was in the stands cheering!), and all the slimy mud and Landry’s crucial field-goal kick made this one of the series’ better football scenes. Or maybe I felt that way because I don’t watch real football games. I welcome any illuminating disagreeing commentary from you, readers.

Speaking of Landry, that kid has got to move the ball a little closer to the goal line when it comes to romancing Jess. I like the way this relationship is being teased out (especially glad to see the return of Landry’s rock band and the cleverly deadpan Devin), but I want to see what’s going to happen between Landry and Jess’ dad (Steve Harris, you are being under-served) and between Landry and Vince, who Has A Past and maybe a future with the lovely Jess.

The fact that I’m so anxious for this plot to deepen is a good sign, though. It just confirms once again that Friday Night Lights continues to play to its strengths: simmering tensions and raucous competition.

Did you watch?

Jan 7 2010 10:49 AM ET

'Nip/Tuck' final-season premiere: A lip-chewing drama

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Categories: Dramas, Nip/Tuck, TV Last Night, TV Review

Praising restraint on Nip/Tuck is like complimenting the Incredible Hulk for not turning green — it’s denying the nature of the beast. Yet last night’s final-season premiere was, by Nip/Tuck standards, relatively tame. Oh, sure, you got one of the series’ standard “shocking” patients, a man who compulsively chews his own lips off.

The hour was more concerned, however, with exploring the roots of Christian and Sean’s relationship, complete with flashbacks using younger actors. The two men’s traits were fully in place when they joined up in college, with Christian always urging Sean to loosen up and have decadent fun.

One line last night stood out for me: It was when Christian said to Sean, “You are never gonna guilt or change me — don’t you know that by now?” This was a small nod to the fact that we’re coming to the end of the series, and that Sean should have learned this lesson by now.

But the larger implication of that line underscored the limitations of this series: After the first two seasons, Nip/Tuck pretty much stuck to that characterization of Christian, while introducing more and more bizarre characters and situations. The result has been character-development stuck in a rut, with flashes of mordant humor and wit.

The whole smashing of the underhandedly-won award subplot was just another example of Sean being betrayed by Christian. Yet I found the scene — largely on the strength of the acting by both Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon — to be moving nonetheless.

I’m going to keep following Nip/Tuck‘s final season, and not just out of critic’s duty: I’m genuinely curious to see if creator Ryan Murphy and his crew can, with all the guest stars it has slated (including Melanie Griffith, Joan Rivers, Frances Conroy, and the mini-Knots Landing reunion of Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark), invest the show with a final burst of drama we can care about.

Did you watch the season premiere? What did you think?

Jan 7 2010 08:32 AM ET

'Apocalypse Man' last night: Did you learn how to survive?

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Categories: Apocalypse Man, Reality TV, Television, TV Last Night, TV Review

Who watched the History Channel’s Apocalypse Man? A survivalist’s dream-show starring armed-forces vet and martial-artist Rudy Reyes, Apocalypse proved to be an utterly fascinating, documentary dramatization about how to survive a massive cataclysmic event.

And now I know how to remove a manhole cover without getting a hernia, and almost know how to hot-wire a car engine, something years of watching TV and movie crime stories failed to fully impart.

Maneuvering in an abandoned-looking city and toting a backpack, Reyes showed us how to gain access into hospitals (where independent generators can be jump-started in areas in which electricity has been knocked out, the host asserted) and libraries (Reyes said that after Hurricane Katrina, libraries were some of the few places that weren’t broken into, and yet which contained valuable information such as city maps… that is, if, in this internet age, you’ve learned the Dewey Decimal System, kids!).

There is, of course, a certain amount of exploitation of fear in shows such as this, and much of Reyes’ narration began with the phrase, “After 9/11…” But Apocalypse Man was completely enthralling for its swift editing combined with tips on how to acquire food, fresh water, and shelter.

Airing as part of the History Channel’s “Apocalypse Week,” Apocalypse Man will be rerun on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check out listings on History.com.

Did you watch Apocalypse Man? What did you think?

Jan 6 2010 10:29 AM ET

Brit Hume, televangelist? Still trying to convert Tiger Woods to Christianity

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Categories: Brit Hume, Career Advice, Controversy, Daily Show, Fox News, Jon Stewart, Politics, Pundits Right and Left, Radio, Television, Tiger Woods

Last night, Brit Hume only intensified his calls for scandal-plagued Tiger Woods to renounce his Buddhist faith and convert to Christianity. You can hear his argument, made to WTOP News radio in Washington, D.C., here.

This past Sunday, on Fox News, Hume made his first call for Woods to take solace in the “redemption and forgiveness” of Christianity, startling a lot of viewers with such frank religious proselytizing. Since Hume is currently a commentator as opposed to a news anchor, his opinion isn’t out of line for his role on TV.

Still, to assert that Christianity is a better faith from which to seek comfort than Buddhism seems a bit naive, to put it kindly. And what of this radio statement by Hume last night?: “You could argue that the two most controversial words in the English language are ‘Jesus Christ.’”

Really? Or is Jon Stewart’s take on the subject more in line with mainstream religious thought?:

Jan 6 2010 10:10 AM ET

'Better Off Ted' last night: Two episodes, one great show, many Veronica-isms

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Categories: Better Off Ted, Sitcoms, Television, TV Last Night, TV Recap

ABC, intent on wiping Better Off Ted from our memories as quickly as possible, ran two new episodes of Ted between two super-mediocre episodes of Scrubs last night.

The first Ted, about the staff being worked to death (literally, in one case) wasn’t quite as funny as usual, which means it was only 425 times funnier than your average Two and a Half Men. Actually, the first one was pretty hilarious, as I look at my notes. When someone cradles your chin in his or her hands, you can now call it “a beard of fingers.” And Veronica’s line, “No one knows how many licks it takes to get to my moral center” was marvelous.

The second episode was instant-classic material. From an uncharacteristically-nervous Ted fighting off spiders nesting in his immaculate hair to Phil trying to demonstrate a new public-address system gadget to Veronica, it was great:

More Veronica-isms last night:

• “I’d like to unhinge my jaw and swallow you like a mouse.”

• “I would like to unsubscribe to whatever you’re doing right now.”

• “If someone’s bothering you, change them.”

As well as the latest Veridian company slogan: “Friendship. It’s the same as stealing.”

There was, I’m afraid, the use of the word “douche” at least four times: Quick, call The New York Times!

And Ted and Veronica’s duet on “I Got You Babe” was completely, unironically sweet, don’t you think?

Jan 6 2010 08:17 AM ET

Hear Kathy Griffin drop the f-bomb again, explain her CNN scandal on 'Craig Ferguson'

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Categories: Anderson Cooper, CNN, Controversy, Craig Ferguson, Kathy Griffin, Talk Shows, Television, TV Last Night, TV Review

Last night, tough investigative reporter Craig Ferguson got to the bottom of Kathy Griffin’s “Did she say f— on New Year’s Eve with Anderson Cooper on CNN?” controversy. Or as Craig put it, was she banned for “sayin’ a word that begins with ‘f’ and it isn’t ‘fandango’”? Here are the highlights of the interrogation from The Late Late Show for future reporters to admire:

Griffin says “f—” three times in this conversation alone, I’m pleased to report. And as you can see/hear, Craig does not back away from the f-bomb himself.

“It’s like what Shakespeare did,” says Griffin. “I’m a wordsmith.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” says Craig.

Hey, maybe CBS needs to put Ferguson and Griffin on, live, next New Year’s Eve. What do you think of that pairing?


Jan 4 2010 08:36 AM ET

'Worst Cooks in America': Worst thing I watched most of last night

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Categories: Food and Drink, Reality TV, TV Last Night

I didn’t eat the whole thing. I couldn’t swallow the basic premise of last night’s Worst Cooks in America on the Food Network. I had read interviews with the producers and on-camera chefs Anne Burrell and Beau MacMillan saying they could spot ringers among the throngs that lined up to take part in this cooking reality series, but, sorry, I think they let a few in either by chance or on purpose, to spice things up.

When the guy chopped off the tips of the aparagus and served the stalks — that was when my already-dubious instincts about this show settled into this-is-too-ridiculous-to-be-believed mode.

The whole thing doesn’t work as a concept. These citizens are bad cooks, and they’re, what, proud of it? Ashamed? But shame doesn’t keep anyone off reality TV, so they’re all proud, I guess. And they’ll dramatically improve to win a prize of $25,000? Yeah, I bet I, too, could learn pretty fast to do more than open a can of tomato soup and sprinkle on some pre-shredded cheese, as one guy did here.

On a series such as Top Chef, the contestants have some knowledge of, some respect for, the judging chefs. But these people who claim not to know how to cook a chicken could have no idea where Burrell and MacMillan rank in the culinary world — like most of us at home, they have to take the word of the producers. The result was a lot of blank stares mixed with barely-disguised glee: “See, I’m really awful!” so many seemed to be saying. “Are you chefs gullible enough to believe I can’t chop an onion and carry me on to the next round?”

That’s drama? No, it’s not. For drama, I’ll wait til next week’s season premiere of Big Love.

Did you watch Worst Cooks in America? Did you like it more than I did?

Jan 3 2010 11:00 AM ET

Rating Seth MacFarlane's empire: How would you rank 'Family Guy,' 'American Dad!' and 'The Cleveland Show'?

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Categories: Cartoons, Family Guy, Seth MacFarlane, Television

All-new episodes of Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show air tonight, making it a good time, at the start of the year, to reevaluate these creations of Seth MacFarlane.

I’ve written reviews of these shows in the past, but at this point, I’d rather hear what you have to say, because as the years have gone by, I’ve noticed that audience taste and preferences can shift — have shifted, in some cases.

Family Guy will probably always be the quintessential MacFarlane series. Since its premiere in 1999, it’s established its unique template of hard-edged satire mixed with pop-culture non sequiturs and shaggy-dog jokes.

But in recent years, a vocal segment of fans has asserted that READ FULL STORY »

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