Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Conan does the Tim Tebow!!!

Last week, Tonight Show funnyman Conan O'brien took a big spill. While filming a triathlon segment with Teri Hatcher, he slipped while running into the studio, smacking his head on the floor. Florida Gators concussed quarterback Tim Tebow would have been very proud of the way he absorbed the hit.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Why After 10 Seasons CSI is Still the Best Show on TV


Most shows start to die out in their old age. Much like 7th Heaven after Jessica Biel left, once the principal characters depart the series tends to hang on by little more than a thread.
Shows like Smallville only stick around because they are on networks that value EVERY audience member, especially the small cult-followings that keep them running well past their expiration date.
Thus CSI is obviously the exception and not the rule. In its 10th season on CBS, the show has lost multiple lead characters (Warrick, Sara, and Gil Grisson have all left their regular roles) and exhausted multiple plot twists (the miniature killer, for example)... yet it still remains fresh and enticing, and thus one of the best shows on television.
Even with spin-offs trying to snag some of its viewers (CSI: Miami, CSI: New York), and similar crime-driven dramas looking to steal its spotlight (NCIS, NCIS:LA, Cold Case, the Mentalist)-the series continues to plow ahead as if there were no competition at all.
For proof I give you 10 Reasons why after 10 seasons, CSI is still the best show on TV:

1) When it loses a main character, it fills the void in a BIG way. Case in point... by William Peterson, hello Lawrence Fishbourne.

2) Even the characters who leave the series can't stay away... Sara Sidle left, but makes a multi-episode guest stint to start season 10...and it's good to have Jorja Fox back in Sin City.

3) GEORGE EADS. Need I say more? Besides his one bad season sporting a mustache, this man has been perfect in every way, shape, and form. He's hot, talented, and a killer crime-solver. When he almost died a few seasons back I almost stopped watching the series all-together. Thankfully he's still alive and well, and thus my support of the series continues.

4) Best season premiere opening sequence ever. I don't want to go into too many details because this you need to see for yourself. Talk about staying fresh and forever reinventing the series... the opening sequence is proof that it's being done on this show. No other series I've seen this season opened with such an explosively powerful visual element.

5) The cliff-hanger. Normally season premieres tie up lose ends, not unravel more of them. But, in the case of CSI, the season premiere continued to keep audiences hooked by leaving you with a question that will burn through your brain until (hopefully) it is answered in the next episode. It isn't over the top. And it isn't obnoxious... because the episode did provide enough conclusions to make you feel you got your money's worth as well. This is just brilliant writing.

6) 10 seasons and the crimes still never get old. I don't know how they do it. I thought they'd run out of clever ways for people to die. But, once again, I am totally wrong. Which each death there is a plausible twist that keeps you on your toes.

7) Syndication hasn't killed the series, but rather prolonged its life. More people have gotten hooked from the countless episode reruns on Spike than have lost interest. Syndication has also meant you can go back and revisit classic episodes that you haven't seen in a while considering the show's 10 year run. It's like watching the series all over-again... and falling in love all over again at the same time.

8) It hasn't ever jumped the shark. Some series creators get bored with their material (7th Heaven) or too cocky in their own abilities (Heroes) and go off on weird plot tangents that cause the series to jump the shark. Never in its 10 seasons has CSI been guilty of either of those two things. At no time have fans been left in shock because of crazy off-beat story lines. The show has stayed true to its purpose and as a result is being rewarded with another season in a top-spot in CBS's lineup.

9) Special effects lead the way. Other shows wish they could do in one season what CSI does in one episode. For television they have an incredible special effects budget. The use of computer generated material isn't overwhelming, and the added bonus of real scientific strategies makes the audience feel as though you are learning something while watching.

10) It has some of the most unique characters in television. Hodges. Grissom. Case in point. Each character is given just enough exposition that you learn their quirks and often their backgrounds, but you are never smothered with characterization to the point that it deprives you from a murderous storyline. Often times the characterization comes as a result of the murder investigation and you don't realize you've even gotten it until all is said and done.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

"The Last Song" Gets Pushed Back

Sorry Miley Cyrus fans... you're going to have to wait another four months to check out her new film "The Last Song". According to the AP wire today the release date got moved from its planned January slot to April 2nd. This move will play into the spring break crowds and hopefully catch what is a coveted week in releases for that age demo.
In the meantime you need to check out the leaked music video for the single from the film, "When I Look at You." The song is on Miley's new EP sold exclusively through WalMart. It will be featured on the film's sountrack and is already occupying a spot on my current iTunes playlist.
You can check it out below (note: Miley's sporting a nose stud during this video... real, or fake?).
Also you have until Friday to download Miley's new video for "Party in the USA" from ABC's website (abcmusiclounge.com).

Monday, September 21, 2009

Things I've Learned This Week

I may have graduated from college, but the learning never stops. Here are some things that I've learned this week related to the entertainment industry.

1). Miley Cyrus and I shares something odd in common: We both don't eat green foods. I get made fun of for this trait all the time, so it's nice to know I share it with someone, especially a multi-millionaire Hollywood phenom. Want proof? Check out Miley's interview on Jay Leno's new show:

2). The EMMYs may actually be back. Neil Patrick Harris and Co. did a great job making the show less about the awards, and more about the entertainment factor. It helped that they were able to crack jokes at their own irrelevance for most of the night. To be honest, I don't even care about the winners. Without a Kanye West/Taylor Swift moment there wasn't anything worth a huge headline.

3). I love season premieres...and the internet. Your old favorites make their comebacks, and you get a chance to fall in love with fresh meat all at the same time. The internet and DVRs everywhere allow you to now watch as many as you can without having to miss out on the shows airing in competing time slots. I've been taking advantage of this, BIG TIME. So far I can't get enough of the CW's new lineup, including: Vampire Diaries, Melrose Place, 90210, Gossip Girl, and One Tree Hill.

4). Shows can surivive even when cast members you thought you couldn't live without leave.
I thought I was done with One Tree Hill last season. With Chad Michael Murray and Hillary Burton out, and the perfect ending that was the season finale I thought I'd never see it again and be forever happy. Then I watched the season premiere. I forgot those characters were ever even important. Sophia Bush and company had no trouble carrying on the great OTH tradition and thus they'll have my viewership throughout the season.

5). Following celebrities on Twitter is not a bad thing. I have been thoroughly entertained many a time thanks to my Twitter addiction. Celebrities post the craziest shit on there, and I eat it up. Want to make yourself feel better? Just read the post of a celeb whose making a fool of themself by having an online Twitter feud with another celeb (i.e. Perez Hilton and Demi Moore). Want to live vicariously through a 16 year old phenom? Follow the likes of Miley Cyrus. Want to see a celeb use their popularity for good? Try catching up with Ashton Kutcher.


6). Kelly Clarkson is a bad-ass. Read below to learn why I suddenly love this diva even more now.

Dear Kanye,

What happened to you as a child?? Did you not get hugged enough?? Something must have happened to make you this way and I think we’re all just curious as to what would make a grown man go on national television and make a talented artist, let alone teenager, feel like shit. I mean, I’ve seen you do some pretty shitty things, but you just keep amazing me with your tactless, asshole ways. It’s absolutely fascinating how much I don’t like you. I like everyone. I even like my asshole ex that cheated on me over you…which is pretty odd since I don’t even personally know you. The best part of this evening is that you weren’t even up for THIS award and yet you still have a problem with the outcome. Is winning a moon man that much of a life goal?? You can have mine if it will shut you up. Is it that important, really??

I was actually nominated in the same category that Taylor won and I was excited for her…so why can’t you be?? I’m not even mad at you for being an asshole…I just pity you because you’re a sad human being.

On a side note, Beyonce has always been a class act and proved again tonight that she still is. Go TEXAS!!

Taylor Swift, you outsell him ….that’s why he’s bitter. You know I love your work! Keep it up girl!

KC :)

Friday, September 11, 2009

Fall TV First Week Recap




First of all, I apologize for my extended absence. The whole "real" job thing keeps getting in the way of "fun blogging time". But I'm making a conscious effort to come back, especially now that the new season of "The Entertainment Buzz" on WOLV TV is just a few weeks away.

Here is why, despite marking the end to my favorite season-Summer- I actually love the fall: Football, Michigan football, leaves changing, and THE START OF THE NEW TV SEASON!!!
Considering this isn't a sports blog, I'm going to tackle the start of the TV season as my topic today.

Most of the networks haven't released their big guns yet. The exception is FOX's Glee. I was a supporter of this show when the network released the pilot last spring. I'm STILL a supporter of the show after episode two hit the airwaves this past week. The series is fun, inspiring, full of Jane Lynch, and it features an incredible soundtrack. For me, this is a recipe for instant success. The show is slightly quirky, and has the potential to alienate audiences who don't go into it with an open mind...so I beg of you, go into it with an open mind. For any person who has ever been, or is in a choir or showchoir (I was in both: see below) this show is for you. Seriously, it's written for you. In honor of the season premiere I'm sharing with you a piece of my showchoir past. Have a good laugh, or vomit slightly in your mouth, then be sure to turn to FOX for next week's episode of Glee (it's much better :).

The only other network that really went all out with season premieres this week was the CW. I tuned in for 3 of their opening acts, and I was only disappointed by one (which for that network is a great start). I'll start with the yea and work to the nea.

Yea: Melrose Place. I cringed when I first heard the network picked up this remake rather than the Gossip Girl spin-off. Maybe I shouldn't have been so quick to judge. When (SPOILER ALERT) someone dies before the opening credits role, you know things are going to be juicy. There's sex, money, drugs, drama... everything the old MP had with a new age kick in the butt. I haven't warmed up to Ashlee Simpson-Wentz onscreen (which I blame on the fact that I watched 7th Heaven when she was on it, and she RUINED that show for me). I love that the writers mixed the old with the new right off the bat and weren't afraid to make some bold character statements in the first 40 minutes of the series. I'm giving this show at least another two weeks of my time.

Yea: Vampire Diaries. This is another series that I cringed when I heard about. I'm not an overboard Twilight fan (in other words, I've read the books, and seen the movie but don't drool over Robert Pattinson or think Kristen Stewart is the next big thing. I also don't have a single poster anywhere in my room). I thought this series would be a blatant rip-off and would simply just be taking advantage of the current fanged fad. Let me start then by saying that this series could have easily stood alone without the hype surrounding Twilight.
The cast is hot. The chemistry is hotter. And the storyline is already intriguing. There are many similarities to the Twilight franchise, but there are more differences. Fans of the series, and haters of the series can find something to love about the Vampire Diaries.

Nea: 90210. I loved this show last year. Now, I like it, but I'm struggling to love its season open. When the show began there were obvious protagonist and antagonist. You knew who to feel sympathy for, and who was the evil biatch. Now those lines have become increasingly crossed and I'm left wondering who to root for, if anyone. Annie has turned serious rebel without a cause, and she doesn't wear it well. Shenae Grimes was cast as the good girl... and while she's nailed playing the biatch already, it'll be hard for her to ever go back if that's what the writers intend.
Meanwhile Naomi has come full circle. You hated her, you felt sorry for her, now you're back to hating her again. If not for Silver and Adrianna there would be no one to like in the series right now. The introduction of a hot new male lead helped the season premiere, but it couldn't hold it entirely afloat. Cliff-hangers from last season's finale still weren't answered, and instead even more questions arose. Come on writers, through your fans a bone and give us something to grasp onto! I'll keep watching for now, but the show is dangerously close to losing my weekly support.