Oscars aftermath: Busey and Whoopi and Brad Renfro. Oh my! | February 26, 2008

For the first time in the history of DeAnn, I not only didn't have an Oscar party, but I didn't even watch the Oscars in their entirety. It's not actually my fault, as I was out of town and I did set up my TiVo to record but it somehow missed the first hour and a half. But, just because I missed part of the show doesn't mean I'm not all caught up. Quite the contrary.

Obviously, the craziest of all crazies at the Oscars was Gary Busey, who accosted Ryan Seacrest (who handled it gamely, giving me at least a little respect for the guy) on the red carpet. Take a look:

Seriously ... who let Gary Busey into the Oscars?! Poor, poor Jennifer Garner. Where is Ben Affleck when you need him? At least Laura Linney got poor Jen out of there before any more damage (or neck kissing) could be done.

Then there was poor Whoopi Goldberg, four-time Oscar host (and first/only female host and first black host) but left out of the hosts montage. At least the other ladies on "The View" (yes,even Elisabeth Hasselbeck was extremely nice) made her feel better about it. Watch the clip from "The View" here.

Finally, one part of the Oscars I did see was the "In Memoriam" montage, and I found myself wondering where Brad Renfro was/why he was omitted. Apparently, I wasn't the only one. And that quote from the Oscar spokesperson?

In any given year, we are not able to include everyone who has past away, and because we very much want to include people who worked in all aspects of filmmaking, not just actors and actresses, this means that sometimes well-known individuals are not included.

Just seems like they're trying to cover their tracks after having forgotten to include him. I mean, do we really expect the oldsters in the Academy to recognize a kid who's been in films with Ian McKellen, Brad Pitt, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Bacon, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, and ... uh ... Frankie Muniz? Apparently not. But, really, shame on the Academy for that.

(Watch this space in the coming days/weeks/eternities as I blog about Big Brother more often than anyone — except me, obviously — would ever dare.)

Posted by deann in Indifference| Awards | permalink | Comments (6)

'Pussycat Dolls' is finally noteworthy (sort of) | January 17, 2008

Because there's a girl from Oregon competing in the upcoming season, I blogged about it. Very briefly but with photos. Enjoy!

Posted by deann in Indifference | permalink

New Dancing cast | August 29, 2007

And I have some thoughts on it. Please go read them.

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I'm still alive | July 17, 2007

And I blogged about A Model Life With Petra Nemcova, Weeds, and Big Brother. Read it and enjoy! And, of course, comment if you feel inspired.

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Greek premieres and a Big Brother highlight | July 10, 2007

I blogged about Greek and Big Brother. Enjoy!

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Let's NOT boycott the CW, OK? | June 08, 2007

OK, I must rant about the CW boycott that Shopkeep and Carrisa said in yesterday's comments that they're joining (sorry, ladies):

Here's my problem with it. First of all, remember when I posted about the final ratings of the season? Well, if you followed the link to the season's ratings, you might have noticed something about Veronica Mars: It ranked 138th out of 142 shows, and every show beneath it is either a comedy (which I believe have different costs/standards) or a canceled show.

Now, Dawn Ostroff? She loves this show. She's been a huge supporter -- as you would realize if you've been paying attention to the fact that the ratings have been this bad EVERY SEASON and she has renewed it twice. She still has yet to close the door on it for good this time (remember, it aired as a "season finale" not "series finale" despite it not being on next season's schedule; I think she has another week to make a decision), AND she's reportedly in talks with Rob Thomas and Kristen Bell about another show they can do together on the CW.

This is a lady who loves Veronica Mars as much as any of you do -- probably more -- but she also has a job that requires her to make tough decisions. She's hung on to this show longer than most networks would have. In fact, at any other network, those numbers would have had it canceled after one or two episodes of season one. At UPN/CW (both under Ostroff), we got THREE SEASONS.

I think it's greedy and a more than a little ridiculous to boycott a network that stuck behind your show for so long even when it made absolutely no financial sense to do so. So ... boycott if you want to, but go into it with the full realization of what Ostroff and the CW have done, which is to stick by this little show when no one else would have. If you must boycott, I would have recommended boycotting the network for canceling Everwood, which had much higher ratings and was canceled to make room for 7th Heaven. I'm still upset about that one -- more than I am about this one, by a long shot -- and I still didn't boycott.

(Also, unless you're a Nielsen household, what's boycotting going to do -- other than keep you from possibly finding your next favorite show? And if you ARE a Nielsen household, you're hurting all of the folks who work on those shows -- regular people like you and me -- and the fans of those new struggling shows more than you're going to hurt the netlet, which will just cancel, cancel, cancel until it finds itself a hit.)

So, think about it. That's all I ask.

Posted by deann in Indifference| Ratings/Scheduling | permalink | Comments (6)

Follow-ups: Sanjaya, Rosie, Friday Night Lights (sort of) | May 29, 2007

So, Sanjaya is not, in fact, Bill Vendall; Rosie left The View and TV Guide's Dream Emmy Ballot included some of my favorites. Read all about it.

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News, views and reviews | May 25, 2007

For anyone actually online leading into the long weekend, I wrote up a random post about a little of everything TV-related: news, what to watch, what to probably not watch, people who are nuts... Read and enjoy, because that's all you're getting from me for at least a few days.

Posted by deann in Love| Hate| Indifference| TV on DVD| Ratings/Scheduling| News | permalink | Comments (2)

I'm not going to write about the American Idol finale | May 24, 2007

But someone else did. She live blogged it, even. Enjoy!

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Sanjaya WHO?! | May 23, 2007

So, Sanjaya is now saying he's not really "Sanjaya," but a grad student at RISD named "Bill Vendall"? Really? I don't think so, but this is fun!

Posted by deann in Indifference| News | permalink | Comments (2)

Rosie, The View to part ways | April 25, 2007

I don't know how you wouldn't have heard that Rosie O'Donnell's leaving The View. She announced her exit on this morning's show and no one has stopped talking about it since -- myself, included!

Posted by deann in Indifference| News | permalink | Comments (2)

How COULD you, America? | April 19, 2007

I will be the first to admit I am not a regular watcher of American Idol, but Sanjaya fervor had me entranced. And now it's over. I doubt I'll keep watching.

I wrote a little more (with more fun links) about it at my other blog.

And here's his final moment, including a look at his journey on the show:

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Quick (and random) thoughts | April 17, 2007

* How insane is Sanjaya going to be as a COUNTRY SINGER?!

* A show about a cross-country car chase engineered by a mysterious stranger tanked in the ratings?! You've got to be kidding me! That had "Hit" written all over it. Or maybe that was "Hit me, please, for coming up with this concept."

* My other blog post: Clyde Drexler wants out of Dancing With the Stars. Please, America, have mercy: Let him go.

* Do NOT forget that Gilmore Girls is back tonight after far too many weeks away. And we could be counting down to the series' end, so you don't want to tune out now.

Posted by deann in Indifference| News | permalink | Comments (4)

Sanjaya ... so bad he's good? | March 22, 2007

So, I presume you saw the little crying girl watching the horrific singing of Sanjaya Malakar on American Idol (or at least read about it). If not, watch it here:

Now, if that isn't enough, this girl is becoming semifamous. You can watch her here on the Today show, where you'll also find that her appearance on the show was completely manipulated by the producers. Surprise, surprise.

So, my question is this: Why does she get her 15 minutes of fame for CRYING?! I have been a cryer my entire life and the best thing it's ever gotten me is sympathy. And usually it doesn't even get that. NO FAIR!

(Side note: I have Sanjaya in my AI pool, so I'm continuing to hope he sticks around. That said, I have not voted. Yet. But I'm not above it.)

Posted by deann in Indifference| News | permalink | Comments (4)

Vanished ... vanishes | November 16, 2006

Further proof that nothing can survive the loss of the beautiful Gale Harold, Fox announced that Vanished (starring Eddie Cibrian) now will be available to watch only online, streaming on MySpace. (Side note: I was wrong about Justice. Sort of. It's being burned off on Fridays.) More:

FOX will make the final four episodes of VANISHED available online on FOX On Demand at MySpace.com (www.myspace.com/fox) and on MyFoxLocal station sites in 24 markets beginning Friday, Nov. 17. Viewers will see the mystery unfold as the remaining clues in the disappearance of Sara Collins (Joanne Kelly) are uncovered in the episodes to be posted on four consecutive Fridays: Nov. 17, Nov. 24, Dec. 1 and the “Warm Springs” series finale on Dec. 8. Streaming begins at 12:01 AM PT each Friday.

All-new episodes of JUSTICE will air on four consecutive Fridays, Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ...

Back-to-back HOUSE episodes will air on two Mondays, Dec. 11 and 18 (8:00-9:00 PM and 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

Posted by deann in Indifference| Ratings/Scheduling| News | permalink | Comments (2)

OK ... Woah! | October 03, 2006

So, who watches Vanished? I know not many people, but did anyone see this week's episode?

Because I think you are NOT supposed to kill off my favorite actor so early in a series. I believe that is an unwritten rule of television. Even if you bring in that very cute guy from Invasion, that does not replace Gale Harold. Keep him alive.

Anyway, the show might have just lost me. Grrrrr.

Is it just me?

(It's kind of like my favorite team getting eliminated from The Amazing Race. Double Grrrrrr. What a bad week for people I love on shows that I watch.)

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Reality wars | July 26, 2006

So, in a summer when the programming, the counterprogramming and everything else is a reailty show, I must know what YOUR favorite summer reality fix(es) is/are? I love:

Last Comic Standing - I can't decide who I love most between Ty, Chris and Josh. They all should win. They can do that, right?

Big Brother - Oh my god, I LOVE evil Dr. Will. I pretty much like everyone, though, strangely enough. Even Jase's craziness was awesome to me last night. And there are so many things in the episodes that make me laugh hysterically (such as "Jase face" and the various houseguests' impressions of it. Ha!).

The Contender - It's not as good as season 1 yet, but the glimpses of Alfonso and Sergio make it worth watching. It's not too late to start watching either. If you can't find it, that's because it's on ESPN!

Dog Whisperer - Cesar is my hero. No, really. I can't believe how much I love/admire the guy.

Intervention - Watch it and try not to cry. Come on, I dare you.

Rock Star: Supernova - Yes, I'm watching this, but it's definitely not my addiction like some of the others are. I'm still all about Dilana, though. Or Toby.

Project Runway -- I'm loving my first season of this reality gem. Like Last Comic Standing, this one actually takes its competition seriously instead of being a joke like some similar "occupational" reality shows that I hesitate to name.

I am not watching The Messenger, America's Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance?, Workout or Extreme Makeover. But I will be watching Who Wants To Be A Superhero? OF course. It looks fantastically hysterical.

What are YOU watching, reality-wise? And what are you loving most of all?

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What am I doing here? | July 13, 2006

Hey, what happened to my peon? I thought he was supposed to take over at this place when I was feeling uninspired. (In reality, I know that Jay is actually on his own vacation. But I need to blame someone else for my lack of a post today.)

Anyway, my TV life lately has consisted of reality TV and Farscape, which I'm trying to catch up on so that I can be a more informed reader of the Farscaps (TM Keckler and sobell). I also recently bought all of the Starburst editions of the series and have been watching from the beginning, including ALL special features. Nolan asked me the other day, "Why are you so obsessed with Farscape lately?" I was still on Disc 1 of Set 1 from Season 1. He has no idea how "obsessed" I will get before this is over!

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Reality fix | July 12, 2006

So, I watched the latest episodes of Last Comic Standing AND Big Brother (it was my first episode ever; somehow I accidentally watched the second episode before the first, even though both are in my TiVo).

I am pleased with the five comedians left in the competition on Last Comic Standing. I'm rooting for Josh or Chris, but I also quite like Ty. So, we'll see. And, about Gabriel getting sent home ... well, he completely deserved it, of course. But how weird was it to hear the producer asking him what's behind that pillow? It seemed so sordid to have a normally off-camera figure start talking to Gabriel. I don't know why it felt so dirty to me, even when it was just a Blackberry. But, yeah, I'm glad he's gone. It's ridiculous he couldn't go without calling his girlfriend, especially when Ty missed his daughter's birthday to be there.

Oh, and about Big Brother, I'm completely embarrassed but I find it addictive and I like Alison of all people (I HATED her on The Amazing Race). I also love Will, but I have a question for those of you who have watched longer than me: Is he really a doctor? (Don't worry, though: I'm not crazy enough to pay for the live feeds. Yet. Although I may go ahead and take advantage of the 14-day free trial. Maybe.)

I normally would not allow this soapy of a reality show to suck me in, but I am using the excuse that it's summer to feel less guilt about it. Plus, it gives me something to post about on here, so it has to make my many fans happy!

Also, I LOVE Dilana. And Josh. And Toby. And Lukas. That is all.

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Who is your Rock Star? | July 11, 2006

No, really. I must know. Who do you like on Rock Star: Supernova? (Other than Tommy Lee, of course; that's a given.) I am liking Dilana, Toby, Josh, Lukas and Zayra most of all, although many of them are quite good.

Oh, and my opinion is subject to change at any time.

(Also, Matt totally rocked that Duran Duran song, so I think the boys were a little crazy to keep Chris around instead. But, what do I know? I in no way "rock." Although, please feel free to disagree with that assessment.)

Oh, also, I'm back (if you hadn't noticed). Thanks, Jay, for being my stand-in. All celebrities have them, you know.

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I need help | June 22, 2006

I watched One Tree Hill for the first time in about a season and a half, and, yes, that means I need mental help. But that's not the help I need from you all. What I need is for someone to answer these questions for me:

1. What happened to Haley and Nathan?
2. Why is Peyton still on the show? She seems to not matter much at all. I mean, she visited a retirement home with MOUTH (who is in the freaking credits now, by the way. I KNOW!)
3. What is up with Deb and Karen sabotaging Dan's run for mayor? Isn't Deb back together with him?
4. What happened to Lucas' deep and abiding love for Peyton?
5. Could he BE more of a drama queen? Love is so life-or-death with him. This is just how it was with Peyton, too, in season 1. Gah!
6. Who are all of these new people? Chris Keller? Bevin? Naked Rachel? (That's my own name for her, but it fits, no?)
7. Am I really supposed to believe that BROOKE, the ditz of season 1, designed a clothing line that actually sold?
8. Why is Brooke's hair so dark? Why is Peyton's so straight?
9. Where is Keith? And Whitey? They were still in the opening credits but nowhere to be seen.
10. How in the WORLD did this show get renewed and not Everwood? No, seriously. Has Dawn Ostroff seen this show? Because ... man, it's not good. And, yes, I have it set for a Season Pass. That is how much help I need.

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Saved shows improvement already | June 20, 2006

So, I watched the second episode of Saved last night, and I have to admit that I liked it much more than the first. I think the characters are getting better, and the patients that the paramedics picked up were fewer, which I think was a good thing (there's only so much of that flashback stuff I can take in one episode). I'm liking Tom Everett Scott in this semi-skeezy role, because he usually always plays such a good guy.

I think some of the acting is hilariously stiff (the mother of Sack's son -- who, for those who didn't notice -- is played by one of Keith and David's sons from Six Feet Under -- for example), and the fact that it's supposedly set in Portland (according to the "About" section here) is ridiculous, because nothing about the show resembles anything about Portland (the Tremain Bridge? Wha...?). Last night, I finally had to tell myself that it's set in a town that doesn't exist, then I could stop paying attention to the non-Portland-ness of it all.

But I really am warming up to it otherwise. I love Sack. I love Wyatt. I kind of like Alice. And I can already tell Harper is going to become my favorite. I'm not such a fan of hard-ass Angela, but I can deal with her.

The other thing I liked about the episode was that preview of Nightmares & Dreamscapes, which looks pretty good with its all-star cast and its apparently high budget. You can catch the preview here, if you missed it.

Posted by deann in Indifference| New shows | permalink | Comments (4)

The verdict is out | June 19, 2006

So, after watching the first episode of Treasure Hunters, I'm still undecided on whether I'll keep watching. The first hour was SLOW, but it picked up after that ... a little. It definitely did NOT live up to the hype. Or to The Amazing Race, which it seems to be trying to mimic unsuccessfully.

Did anyone love it?

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"CW spot" | June 07, 2006

I believe those words are actually IN the promo for the CW, which you can see (over and over if you don't stop it) at the CW Web site. Does anyone else not see any clips from 7th Heaven. I'm not stupid enough to think Everwood might be part of the new network, but maybe it means they'll go with a new show instead of that insipid "family" drama, which I think revolves mostly around every child in the family ending up pregant ... with twins!

(Yes, I'm bitter. That isn't likely to end soon.)

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Some summer laughs | May 31, 2006

I watched my first episode of Last Comic Standing (the season 4 premiere) and it wasn't half bad. I thought Ross was a little bit mean, but many of the people he was mean to totally deserved it. Plus, he balances out Bob, who laughs at everything.

And, oh my word, do they ever get some ridiculous people coming in, with their props and their bad jokes and their lack of jokes (the poetry guy? He was like, "Oh, you want comedy?" Genius!).

It's too early for me to pick a favorite, so I won't do that, although I did like the really deadpan blond guy from Phoenix. I think his name was Jim? And I liked Josh, who has cerebral palsy. I actually thought I wouldn't be able to laugh at his jokes when he first started, but MAN, he was funny.

So, yeah, I'm in. I'll be watching that this summer. And laughing. Will you?

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Cultural phenomenon | May 25, 2006

How did Taylor Hicks win American Idol? I mean, the guy can barely sing, so people really must vote based on personality. And we're talking more than 60 million votes this week. THAT? Is insane.

But, the power of the show is so strong that even I tuned in for the last 15 minutes. I saw Prince sing, which was weird, because I thought he would be above that (although I guess the lure of selling all kinds of albums the next day is a big draw for anyone). And I saw the final Burt Bacharach number with all of the finalists. Even having never watched, I knew all of their names except for three. That is the power of this show.

I'm just glad it's over. I hope not so many people watch next time, but I won't count on it. I can guarantee that I won't be watching, though. I got bored watching the last bit of the finale, so I can't imagine it could hold my interest for an entire season.

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It's a trainwreck | May 24, 2006

Is anyone else watching Supergroup on VH1? It is such a massive train wreck, and if you watched the previews for the whole season, it looks like it will become even more of one. I am SO excited!

I love how this is a group of GROWN-UP people who have never had to act older than 13. It is seriously, disturbingly awesome to watch.

There were so many good lines, too, from the Nuge saying "I feel like these guys deserve me" (does he have ANY idea how true that is?) to Evan's "It's like chasing a gazelle" to Sebastian Bach saying "I'm a glam aficiondo (sic)" to "Backstreet boys? I'm a BACH Street Boy."

And Sebastian just about dying (of excitement!) when he sees who else is in the band is beyond awesome. These guys are seriously 13 years old. Did I mention that already?

I cannot WAIT to see what name they come up with for the band. They've already suggested "Raw Dogs," ""SG," "Celebutards," "In a band with Ted Nugent" and other stupid hilarity. Twelve days, I think, will not be enough to come up with anything, let alone make these guys into a band worth listening to.

(By the way, if you missed, it I believe you can watch much of the first episode here.)

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Some deaths are AWESOME! | May 20, 2006

So, I watched the finales of two shows that I never watch on Thursday. These are shows I used to watch, but don't anymore because of stupidity (on the shows' parts, of course; not mine). They are: The O.C. and Will & Grace. Do you know what I learned? Death, like, totally rocks!

First, Beverly Leslie died on Will & Grace, leaving everything to Jack, who got to support his beloved Karen after her money dried up.

And then, the best death EVER was Marissa on The O.C. I have hated Mischa Barton and her character since episode 1, season 1 of that show. In fact, the reason I tuned in was that I had heard there would be a death and I told myself that if Marissa were to die, I couldn't miss it. And I didn't, thankfully. If only the creators had killed her off sooner, they might have kept me as a viewer. Unfortunately, it's too late for that.

I wasn't impressed with either Thursday night finale, though. I thought Will & Grace, a show that excelled at never having a heart, got a little too sappy and serious for its ending. Not necessary. It would have been better to go out with a more "normal" Will & Grace episode. And The O.C.? Well, let's just say that I was so bored I had to fast forward through parts (most) of it, just to get to the ending car wreck. Even the best characters (Seth and Sandy) have been ruined.

So, what did everyone else think?

(I haven't watched the Close to Home finale yet, but I did TiVo that last night -- along with Will Arnett's unannounced appearance on Conan and Nick Lachey's appearance on Craig Ferguson. And yes, I am a new Nick Lachey fan for some mysterious reason. I even bought his album. I need help.)

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I am so boring | May 04, 2006

Sorry I am not posting more or about anything remotely interesting. But I am on the East Coast (D.C. today, NYC tomorrow) and I haven't watched any TV since Monday's Everwood. Since I was in flight on Tuesday, I completely missed Veronica Mars. It's in my TiVo, though, at home, so if you tell me what happens, I will have to kill you. No, really. Don't even think about testing me.

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Weird meets weirder | May 03, 2006

In one of the strangest television meldings in recent history, National Geographic Channel's "Dog Whisperer" will be a guest on "South Park" tonight at 10 p.m. The description from Comedy Central's press release (sent to me via National Geographic Channel) says:

Cartman's mom realizes she has lost control of her son in an all-new episode of "South Park" titled "TSST!" premiering Wednesday, May 3 at 10 p.m. on COMEDY CENTRAL.

The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, takes on his biggest challenge to date when he signs on to discipline Eric Cartman. Cesar may have what it takes, but Cartman isn't going down without a fight.

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I don't deserve this title | May 01, 2006

So, I will be doing what any good TV Goddess would do during sweeps: I am going on vacation to the East Coast starting TOMORROW. I will try to update as often as possible, but I can't guarantee anything. (You know I'll have to post about Veronica Mars, and other finales that happen while I'm away, of course.)

For now, I will remind you to watch How I Met Your Mother tonight, because the finale is only two weeks away (after that ... lots of new summer shows. Zap2it's TV Gal talks a little about those .)

Posted by deann in Indifference| Not TV | permalink | Comments (0)

What about What about Brian? | April 17, 2006

So, did anyone catch the pilot on Sunday or the premiere on Monday of the latest from J.J. Abrams? (When, by the way, did the pilot become something different than the premiere? If it's the first episode to air, it's also the premiere, no?)

I did, and I quite liked it. I am definitely going to keep watching and hope that it sticks around.

I think the characters are good, and there are already some intriguing story lines developing. There are people to root for -- and against. And it's not always clear which ones are which.

Thoughts?

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Pepper Dennis premieres Tuesday | April 03, 2006

Don't forget to watch the latest WB show, which will premiere only to die a quick death. None of the midseason shows is likely to gain enough of a following to be picked up by the CW for next season. If almost-certain cancellation isn't enough to get you to watch, here's a sexy photo:

I know that Pepper is a strange name for a lady, but if anyone can pull it of, it's Rebecca Romijn.

(In other unsettling CW news, Veronica Mars is by no means a lock for renewal and, in fact, is not doing great in the ratings and might not get picked up at all. Hopefully this move to Tuesdays will help. Because if both Arrested Development and Veronica Mars are gone next season, I won't know what to do.)

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CBS conquers ... grocery stores? | March 23, 2006

CBS sent out this press release yesterday, completely befuddling me:

CBS and SignStorey Inc. have announced a premiere partnership in which America's Number One television network will provide customized in-store entertainment to more than 1,300 grocery stores across the nation. In this exclusive arrangement, CBS programs and personalities will appear in brief, custom produced informational segments designed for busy shoppers.

This represents the first of its kind network partnership in which branded original content will be supplied to SignStorey for use in its in-store media network. The new agreement significantly adds to the Network's out of home television reach by bringing the power of entertainment marketing to grocery chains across the country.

And the kicker? This is the photo that was sent with it, as if it's going to help sell this idea.

And to whom? CRAZY people? As if we don't get enough TV at home without being bombarded with it at the grocery store. Will the marketing "genius" never stop?!

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We DO need another hero, apparently | March 19, 2006

I think this sounds like just about the coolest reality show concept in the history of reality shows. But it also makes me wonder, "Is there NOTHING that can't be turned into a reality show?"

But, come on, partnering Stan Lee with SciFi in order to let someone try to come up with a new superhero? That definitely has promise.

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Help me help you | February 13, 2006

So, I know that I could look this up on the Web, but I would rather enlist the help of my dear readers.

My TiVo did not record the Dancing With the Stars results show on Friday because there were conflicts that I failed to notice. (Do you know what else I failed to notice? That my TiVo didn't record it.) Well, I finally watched Thursday's episode and want to know who got eliminated. So, your job? Tell me.

After all, I cannot be a very good TV Goddess without knowing facts such as these.

(For the record, my money is on George, and I will be so mad if it was Lisa. You might want to NOT tell me if that's who it was.)

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Super Bowl XL | February 06, 2006

I hoped that at least the ads would be fantastic, since the game wasn't. But I only really liked two of them: Budweiser's baby Clydesdale, which you can see (and even download) at Budweiser's site. And the "crime deterrent" Sprint commercial, which made me laugh out loud. (I cannot find that one online, though. If you can, please let me know.)

You also can go vote for your favorite commercials, quarter by quarter, at SpotBowl.

(So, apparently you can view all, or most, of the ads here or here. Thanks to the geniuses who let me know what I am too dumb to find by myself.)

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Anticlimactic | February 01, 2006

You know what I forgot to mention last week? The 100th episode of Smallville and the much-hyped death. Which turned out to be ... Jonathan. More than a little disappointing, especially after the first "death" of the episode (Lana's) that Clark had reversed.

I have never liked Lana, and it would have been nice to finally see Clark without her. After all, Smallville is supposed to be about Clark, not about Lana. The good news is that it looked at episode's end as if Clark has turned cold toward her. I don't trust this show to actually separate the two of them, but one can hope.

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Is Oprah wrong? | January 27, 2006

So, what did everyone think of Oprah backtracking and telling off James Frey on her show yesterday?

I don't really agree with Heffernan (the NY Times TV writer who wrote the above article) and her ilk that Oprah has done anything wrong. She has a right to be upset. She feels cheated, in a sense. She realizes she messed up defending Frey. That is her perspective and she has a right to it.

But I do agree that everyone is being awfully hard on Frey. Find me a completely truthful memoir. Do it. I dare you. There is no such thing, because everything we do becomes tainted by our experiences and our memories. I don't mean to lie, but I probably tell a story of an event a little differently than someone else might. Does that mean it's wrong?

Now, that all said, I do think the publisher has made a huge faux pas here. Especially since Frey tried to get his book published as FICTION but no one would publish it. I guess it only was marketable as a memoir? But there should have at least been a note saying some facts have been altered, etc., like there is in Frey's next book.

So, who do you think is bad? Oprah? Frey? Publisher? Anyone else?

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Friends to return? | January 22, 2006

I'm not sure how much I believe this, after all of that talk of, "No TV movies!" when Friends ended just TWO seasons ago. But I figured if it is true, it would be negligent of me not to let you know.

If they can get Jennifer Aniston to come back amid all of her drama and while she's in about 3 million movies for a TV special, I will be amazed. The rest of them returning honestly is not a big surprise (although I had heard Matthew Perry turned this down, so they must not be that desperate -- in addition to the fact that they're all multimillionaires unless they are the most frivolous people on the face of the earth).

So, why would they come back? Why? WHY?! (Say that in Ross's voice. You will laugh.)

And should they? You tell me.

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West Wing canceled | January 22, 2006

I hate to say I told you so, but I had told several people this was going to happen at the end of this season. Not that I feel good, because I know many people love this show, and will be very sad to see it go. I would only ask that they take solace in the fact that they got so very many seasons, unlike several shows that I've loved madly.

(There are other cancellations I have not liked, but not many others have made me half as sad as those linked above, either because other canceled shows got more seasons, like Farscape and Angel; because I didn't have time to fall quite in love, like with Wonderfalls; or because they weren't all that good, such as Reunion.)

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Why ABC should not get 'Arrested Development' | January 13, 2006

After one week, ABC quietly pulls "Jake in Progress" and "Emily's Reasons Why Not".

I blame "Emily," which was horrid. I cannot blame John Stamos. He is far too pretty.

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They call that dancing?! | January 06, 2006

So, am I the only one who wants Master P. -- despite his professions of being on this particular reality show for the victims of Hurricane Katrina -- gone after last night's display on Dancing with the Stars, if only to spare his lovely dance partner the humiliation of having to dance with someone who so clearly is not trying?

On the other hand, there was a certain other badass on the show who was not afraid to get completely into it, and who is among my early favorites. Along with Lisa Rinna, Drew Lachey, Giselle Fernandez and, for comic relief, George Hamilton and Kenny Mayne. Tatum O'Neal was fine and all, but too wacky after the performance for me to root for her.

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"Vintage" or not | December 28, 2005

Just to clarify: "Vintage" is not my own description of "Knight Rider." It's NBC's and iTunes' description.

I took a little heat for that one, so I just want to make sure that there aren't more of you out there laughing at me... (If you were, you can stop now.)

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Come on, CBS | December 28, 2005

In yet another bit of evidence that CBS wants to forever court the 40-and-over set (or maybe not so much wants as that it just doesn't get it), it has partnered with Yahoo! TV instead of iTunes to put its shows online.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with Yahoo! TV, necessarily, but giving us two streaming episodes instead of making entire seasons available for download on iTunes seems ... I don't know ... a little behind the times. Since ABC and NBC are serving up full seasons right up through the most current episodes of hits from "Lost" to "The Office," CBS seems a little like the fuddy-duddy in the room. (NBC, in contrast, manages to look hip even while providing us with vintage programming that includes "Knight Rider" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents").

This is all about me, obviously, since I just got a video iPod. Now I suddenly care about this issue!

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