Posted by Ryan

We’re ready to tee off our recaps of GOLF CHANNEL’s Highway 18 reality competition series. Following each episode of the series, we’re going to give you nine highlights, observations, predictions or snarky comments. We’re going to go out on a limb here and assume that if you’re checking out our blog here, you’ve already seen the episode and don’t need shot-by-shot recaps. Oh yeah, there will be spoilers, so you’ve been warned.

Before hitting the Quick Nine on the premiere episode, aptly titled “The Journey Begins,” we’ll introduce the contestants:

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Tags: Highway 18, Reality TV, Recap // Add Comment »

By ElaineB
Just as I predicted, Swingtown is moving to Fridays at 9 beginning this week (July 25). The Canadian drama Flashpoint which, even if you are not a fan of police dramas, you ought to check out, moves into the Swingtown time slot.

According to CBS, the new slot will remain in effect for the rest of the season for both shows. Some believe this is the beginning of the end for our weekly flashback to the seventies.

At the Television Critics Association press tour last week, CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler said of Swingtown, “I love the show. Everybody knows how passionate I’ve been about it. I wish the ratings were better … but right now, we’re behind the show and we are proud of it.”

On the other hand, ratings don’t need to be quite so good on Fridays, something of a throw-away night for the networks, so keep your fingers crossed that it isn’t canceled or, if it is, the network at least ties up the story line. If anyone out there was a fan of the aptly named Vanished, they know how quickly – and how badly – a series can end.

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Posted by johnnysweeptheleg

Jessie is a friend. Yeah, I know he’s been a good friend of mine. I can’t think of any other way to begin this recap, than quoting the Rick Springfield classic, because Jessie really has been a good friend of mine on this show. He provides so many (unintentional) laughs. Sadly, they’re the kind of laughs where his mother will sit him down once he leaves the house, and say, “Jessie, honey, they’re not laughing with you … they’re laughing at you.”

Less than five minutes into the show, Jessie gives us this gem. “I’m supposedly the youngest person in here. By three years.” And he used air quotes when saying “supposedly.” No, Jessie, when it’s a proven fact that everyone else in the house is older than you by at least three years, then it is no longer supposedly. Jessie, Jessie, Jessie. If you can’t tell, I’m shaking my head in disappointment. And by disappointment, I of course mean hysterical laughter. At you. Not with you. [Read more →]

Tags: Big Brother, Reality TV, Recap // Add Comment »

Posted by Ryan

So, come back for more Hurl!, have you? You sicko.

Let’s meet the contestants for the second installment, “Flamethrowupper”: Chris, a cable guy; Bob, a waiter/musician; Logan, a window washer; Duy, a beach bar host; and Ryan, a college student and pizza delivery man.

These guys will face seven pounds of cream of spinach soup. But apparently, no one really told anyone about the rules (Rules? What rules?), because Chris just dives into the soup hands-first before the clock even starts. Relax, Chris, you’ll have plenty of time to make an ass out of yourself. The contestants will be washing their soup down with milk (it’s organic!). Some choose to use the spoon, others use their hands, and Bob just decides he’s going to pour the soup straight into his mouth. Chris prefers Technique #71: The Double Shovel.

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Posted by johnnysweeptheleg

The Episode 3 recap couldn’t happen, as Johnny Lawrence was out of the office representing the Cobra Kai dojo. Here it is, down and dirty in EP3: Brian was kicked out. Renny and Jessie continued to squabble on live tv. Jessie landed HOH. Done.

It’s Episode 4 on Sunday night where true colors began to show through the houseguests. Case in point — Jessie. Jessie has let the power go to his meathead. My brother made the greatest observation. Jessie looks like George Michael Bluth on Arrested Development, when George Michael decides to wear the muscle suit under his clothing. After this episode, I am actually disturbed by Jessie. He’s a man child. Not only does he look like a child with a man’s body, but he’s as emotionally undeveloped as a child. More on that, later. [Read more →]

Tags: Big Brother, Reality TV, Recap, Uncategorized // Add Comment »

Posted by RabbitEars

This morning at CBS’ executive session at TCA, Nina Tassler, president of entertainment at the network, addressed a few questions about their upcoming season.

Of note regarding C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation, one of the net’s most successful shows, is the departure this season of star William Petersen after the 10th episode. Who’s replacing him? [Read more →]

Tags: TCA, The Latest // Add Comment »

By Elaine B
There’s one magical thing about oppressive summer heat. When you’re too hot to move and too sweaty to think about anything beyond showers, life slows down and you get introspective. This is an episode featuring plenty of sweat and deep thoughts and deceptions (most of them anyway) revealed.

The heat certainly gets to Trina, who pulls out her collection of her old photographs, finds a particularly nice one of Tom and, feeling lonesome, calls him in Tokyo. Unfortunately, he’s not there so Bobbie the stewardess answers his phone. From the background noise, Trina knows that Tom’s room has become party central – and she has a pretty good idea of what will happen next. To his credit, as soon as Tom gets home, with his crew and the buxom Bobbie with him, he confesses. Things are icy between the couple in spite of the heat. “You cheated,” she says. He tries to disagree, citing Bobbie is on their list. “Open and honest is how it works … and why it works,” Trina counters. She begins flirting with his co-pilot, and the outcome could make life awkward between the two pilots in the cockpit.
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Posted by RabbitEars

During the always interesting and high-energy ABC Show Runners panel this afternoon at TCA (a very popular and successful panel begun last year), several of the network’s driving forces behind its top shows were on hand to divulge (or not) secrets to the upcoming season.

On the panel were Greg Berlanti, executive producer and co-creator of Eli Stone, and executive producer of Brothers & Sisters and Dirty Sexy Money; Marc Cherry, creator and executive producer of Desperate Housewives; Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, executive producers of Lost; Silvio Horta, executive producer of Ugly Betty; and Shonda Rhimes, creator and executive producer of Grey’s Anatomy and its spinoff, Private Practice. [Read more →]

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Posted by SH

The Emmys continue blazing down their path to irrelevance by again missing their final chance to honor one of the best shows television has ever produced. That’s 0 for 5, people, with no more chances to get it right, since “The Wire” finished its five-year run this spring. Scoring a lone nomination for writing, that brings the HBO crime drama’s grand total over its life span to 2. By contrast, “Boston Legal” — which long has followed a Shatner-dropping-trou, Spader-giving-impassioned-closing-argument cycle — received 7, including one for best drama series. In fact, James Spader has won more Emmys for playing Alan Shore than “The Wire” has total nominations. I say all this as a regular “BL” watcher, incidentally. Catch the new season starting Sept. 22.

The inexplicable snubbing had become an industry-wide joke to the point that news that “The Wire” was even in the running for nominations this year was notable.

I know many are happy with the recognition given other cable shows who got recognition — fine shows like “Mad Men,” “Damages,” “Breaking Bad” — but it really is pathetic the way this played out. Who knows why these things happen? Variety did some digging a few years back and came up with some interesting answers, none of which was very flattering to Emmy voters. They range from simple-mindedness to weak stomachs to provincial viewing habits.

Every awards list will be excoriated for what it didn’t include, but in the case of “The Wire,” the neglect is more regrettable because some Emmy recognition might have persuaded more people to tune in. Then they could have seen for themselves what a fine show it was, instead of listening to blowhards like me constantly telling them that they don’t know what they’re missing.

I have an eerie feeling fans of “Friday Night Lights” and “Battlestar Galactica” will be writing similar blog posts a year from now.

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Posted by RabbitEars

Sam Raimi (Spider-Man) and the team that helped him make the syndicated hits Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess is back in the national syndication game, this time producing a series based on Terry Goodkind’s fantasy bestseller Wizard’s First Rule. As with the other two series, this one features the rugged and beautiful New Zealand landscape as its filming backdrop in the story of a woodsman who discovers his own magical powers and must use them to stop a tyrant from unleashing an ancient evil.

Wizard’s First Rule has been cleared to air in 95% of the country, including the top 50 markets, beginning Nov. 1 with a two-hour event (succeeding episodes are one hour each). Check your local market for more details on channels and air dates.

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