TV Squad http://www.tvsquad.com TV Squad http://www.tvsquad.com/media/feedlogo.gif TV Squad http://www.tvsquad.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/What Jonathan is thankful forhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/26/what-jonathan-is-thankful-for/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/26/what-jonathan-is-thankful-for/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/26/what-jonathan-is-thankful-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Sons of AnarchyAnother year, another Thanksgiving, and another Fall TV season with plenty of reasons to be thankful. Here's what's winning me over this holiday season...

FX's Sons of Anarchy -- Talk about a complete 180°. This show went from near the bottom of my list last season to one of the most superb dramas on TV right now. Midway through last year's up and down freshman season, I argued that that show had more to offer at a second glance, but for the most part, Kurt Sutter and his team were still finding their footing. Well, they found their footing and then some this year. Season two has been expertly plotted and executed this season and this past week's penultimate episode put the pieces in motion for a season finale that no TV fan should plan on missing.

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]]>24Aqua Teen Hunger ForceDamagesJay LenoLostSons of AnarchythankfulThanksgivingThe Boston CelticsJonathan ToomeyThu, 26 Nov 2009 17:08:00 ESTTV Squad Ten: 2009 predictions from the cracked crystal ballhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/01/08/tv-squad-ten-2009-predictions-from-the-cracked-crystal-ball/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/01/08/tv-squad-ten-2009-predictions-from-the-cracked-crystal-ball/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/01/08/tv-squad-ten-2009-predictions-from-the-cracked-crystal-ball/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What do we perdict from the cracked crystal ball of television? Find out and see.Ah, 2009. Come in, come in! Have a seat at my crystal ball. Oh, I know it's cracked, but don't worry -- it's still useful.

You are so young, so virile, my little new year. You are also ripe...ripe for me to predict your future. I see plenty in my cracked crystal ball -- yes, yes, it's working just fine. Some of it is good, some is bad, and the rest I can't see because of all the cracks. Those predictions probably don't mean much anyway. I mean, Dustin Diamond being cast in a remake of Cop Rock? Who would believe such tripe?

Oh, don't get up! Yes, Allison gave us her predictions already, but that was with a different ball. So, sit, sit, and let me predict your future in television through my fractured sphere.

Continue reading TV Squad Ten: 2009 predictions from the cracked crystal ball

 

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]]>ABCAccording to JimAccordingToJimfeaturedFOXJay LenoJayLenoJeff ZuckerJeffZuckerNBCPaula AbdulPaulaAbdulpredictions2009Regis PhilbinRegisPhilbinRyan SeacrestRyanSeacrestSarah PalinSarahPalinRichard KellerThu, 08 Jan 2009 11:03:00 ESTTop TV Stories of 2008: The election - VIDEOShttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/01/02/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-election-videos/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/01/02/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-election-videos/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/01/02/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-election-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MSNBC Decision 2008
What was the top TV story of the year? The choice was obvious to all of us, and probably all of you, too: The election. The 2008 race for the White House was not only historic, it was dramatic and played out more on TV with recognizable star personas than any election in recent memory.

And like a great TV show, it was a season-long run of highs and lows, tension and release, defeat and victory. Along the way, Americans made a choice about who will run the country for the next four years, but they were also entertained by a near constant barrage of media coverage in the form of maximum cable news, thousands of commercials, daily political commentary both serious and comic, a plethora of debates, and -- naturally -- Saturday Night Live's take on it all.

It all started about a year ago in the cold of Iowa and New Hampshire...

Continue reading Top TV Stories of 2008: The election - VIDEOS

 

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]]>Barack ObamaBarackObamaChelsea ClintonChelseaClintonChicagoDavid GregoryDavid ShusterDavidGregoryDavidShusterDemocratsElection 2008Election2008featuredfestivusHillary ClintonHillaryClintonJoe BidenJoeBidenJohn McCainJohnMccainMSNBCNovemberRepublicansSarah PalinSarahPalintop stories 2008TopStories2008Allison WaldmanFri, 02 Jan 2009 14:00:00 ESTBest and Worst of 2008: Rich's Listhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/01/02/best-and-worst-of-2008-richs-list/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/01/02/best-and-worst-of-2008-richs-list/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/01/02/best-and-worst-of-2008-richs-list/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

John Stewart and Stephen Colbert had some of the best election coverage around.Welcome back from your humongous hangover. I just wanted to let you know that you are now in 2009 -- a fresh new year that we should look forward to. However, since you are a common citizen of Earth, you don't look ahead to a future. Instead, you look to the bleak and bloated year that has now passed.

That's why they invented "Best and Worst" lists for the previous year. It gives you a chance to remember last year's crap, get angry, proceed to get drunk, pass out, wake up, and forget it's a new year again. At that point, you get angry again. It's a vicious cycle and we love it! With that, here's my "Best and Worst" list for 2008.

Continue reading Best and Worst of 2008: Rich's List

 

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]]>bestandworstof2008CNNDirty Sexy MoneyDirtySexyMoneyJay LenoJayLenoLifeNBCPushing DaisiesPushingDaisiesRyan SeacrestRyanSeacrestRichard KellerFri, 02 Jan 2009 13:22:00 ESTWhat will you be watching this New Year's Eve and Day?http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/31/what-will-you-be-watching-this-new-years-eve-and-day/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/31/what-will-you-be-watching-this-new-years-eve-and-day/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/31/what-will-you-be-watching-this-new-years-eve-and-day/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

What are you going to be viewing on this New Year's Eve and Day?Being that we eat, breathe, drink, sleep, pee, poop and vomit television here at TV Squad, we like to gauge the pulse of the community once in awhile. It gives us a chance to see what others are thinking and doing as well as see what the new and continuing trends are. Plus, it fills up some white space on the site. So, the question I am tabling is this: What are you going to be watching this New Year's Eve and Day?

It's a strange time of year for television as viewing selections are all over the map. If you are a lover of college football this is your Christmas as the tube is filled with the antiquated Bowl games that constitute "playoffs." For science fiction fans there's the annual Twilight Zone marathon on Sci Fi Channel. Those who can barely move from the couch for fear of talking on the porcelain phone once again, there's plenty of inane marathons to provide ambiance while you try to sleep it off.

Continue reading What will you be watching this New Year's Eve and Day?

 

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]]>Bowl Championship seriesBowlChampionshipSeriesNew YearsNewYearsSci Fi ChannelSciFiChannelSuper BowlSuperBowlThe Real GhostbustersThe Twilight ZoneTheRealGhostbustersTheTwilightZoneRichard KellerWed, 31 Dec 2008 15:04:00 ESTTop TV Stories of 2008: Britney on How I Met Your Motherhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/31/top-tv-stories-of-2008-britney-on-how-i-met-your-mother/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/31/top-tv-stories-of-2008-britney-on-how-i-met-your-mother/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/31/top-tv-stories-of-2008-britney-on-how-i-met-your-mother/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Britney Spears, Josh Radnor - How I Met Your MotherDoes the title of this post have you groaning and asking yourself, "Why are we talking about this again?" If so, I'm familiar with the feeling. It's how I felt earlier this year as the gossiperati (for lack of a more disparaging term) were putting the full court press on Britney Spears. And that was just because she went shopping, or bought a Slurpee, or something ... I didn't really pay much attention to those reports.

Suffice it to say, while it may have been for all the wrong reasons, Britney had once again captured the attention of the public at large. It's an important bit of this story, because it speaks to both why she was brought in to guest on HIMYM, and why I hated it from jump street. I certainly wasn't alone in that, as most of the TV Squad staff, and 36.9% of the readers that voted, named her for the What The *#@#%! Were They Thinking Award.

Continue reading Top TV Stories of 2008: Britney on How I Met Your Mother

 

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]]>britney spearsBritneySpearshow i met your motherHowIMetYourMotherratingstop stories 2008TopStories2008Brett LoveWed, 31 Dec 2008 09:00:00 ESTTop TV Stories of 2008: People we losthttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/29/top-tv-stories-of-2008-people-we-lost/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/29/top-tv-stories-of-2008-people-we-lost/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/29/top-tv-stories-of-2008-people-we-lost/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bernie MacThis is always the most depressing end-of-year list -- the TV people (in front of and behind the camera) who died during the past year. This is a big list, but if we forgot anyone, let us know in the comments (and check out the obituary category for more).

Continue reading Top TV Stories of 2008: People we lost

 

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]]>2008 deathsbernie brillsteinbernie macbeverlee mckinseybeverly garlandcelebrity deathsdavid grohdick martinearle hagenestelle gettygeorge furthharvey kormanjack narzjeff mackayjim mckaylawrence hertzogmajel barrett roddenberrystan winstonsuzanne pleshettetim russerttony snowtop stories 2008top stories of 2008TopStories2008tv deathstv obitsvampirawilliam f. buckleyBob SassoneMon, 29 Dec 2008 15:02:00 ESTAmy Sedaris makes a holiday dinner - VIDEOhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/28/amy-sedaris-makes-a-holiday-dinner-video/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/28/amy-sedaris-makes-a-holiday-dinner-video/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/28/amy-sedaris-makes-a-holiday-dinner-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Amy SedarisBasically I'll try to find any reason to write about Amy Sedaris. And since this is holiday-related, I can justify it.

Sedaris was on the Today Show on Christmas Eve to plug the paperback version of her excellent cooking/entertaining book I Like You and to make Greek spaghetti for hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. The recipe is in the book, but the ingredients include Parmesan cheese and a whole stick of butter, which you melt and pour on top of the spaghetti and sauce. Probably not the healthiest meal (especially if you include Sedaris' other recipes for various cookies and other desserts) but it looks tasty. I love how Sedaris can show you how to cook the meal and at the same time throw off a bizarre line like "your animals talk for a whole minute on Christmas Eve, did you know that?"

Continue reading Amy Sedaris makes a holiday dinner - VIDEO

 

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]]>amy sedariscookiescookingdinnerentertaininggreek spaghettihoda kotbholiday dinneri like youkathie lee giffordnbctoday showwineBob SassoneSun, 28 Dec 2008 13:02:00 ESTWhat's On Christmas Day: Marathons, Movies, and Specialshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/24/whats-on-christmas-day-marathons-movies-and-specials/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/24/whats-on-christmas-day-marathons-movies-and-specials/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/24/whats-on-christmas-day-marathons-movies-and-specials/#commentsFiled under: , ,

007Here's a quick guide to what's on Christmas Day, stuff to watch while you're opening presents, making snowmen, and eating way too much pumpkin pie.

  • HGTV and Food Network have holiday programming all day.
  • TNT is showing Law and Order all day.
  • TBS is showing the movie A Christmas Story all day.
  • Nickelodeon and TV Land have Christmas episodes of various sitcoms and dramas all day.
  • BBC America also has Christmas episodes all day long.
  • At 7am, all of the morning shows (Today, Good Morning, America, and The Early Show) will have Christmas features, music, and recipes.
  • At 8, Lifetime has a Golden Girls marathon.
  • Sci-Fi has a Star Trek: TNG marathon at 8.
  • Bravo has a Christmas episode of The West Wing at 8, then a Top Chef marathon.

Continue reading What's On Christmas Day: Marathons, Movies, and Specials

 

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]]>a christmas storybad santabasketballchristmas specialschristmas tvgmagolden girlsgolfhouselittle people big worldmythbustersski patrolstar trek tngsuze orman showthe early showtoday showtv marathonswalt disney christmas paradewhats on christmaswhite christmasBob SassoneWed, 24 Dec 2008 19:01:00 ESTTop TV Stories of 2008: The decline of Heroeshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/24/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-decline-of-heroes/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/24/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-decline-of-heroes/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/24/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-decline-of-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Heroes Cast

I'm sure that many of us could go round and round over the quality of the episodes in this latest chapter of Heroes. If you're following along with the weekly reviews, you've no doubt seen it play out in the comments. The thing that is a little harder to argue is the ratings. Over these last few months, the one time flagship NBC drama has seen its numbers drop to drastic levels. Put another way, if Heroes was a space ship, and dropping ratings signified an increase in speed, the show has gone plaid.

Continue reading Top TV Stories of 2008: The decline of Heroes

 

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]]>bryan fullerBryanFullercsifeaturedgreys anatomyGreysAnatomyhousenbcncispushing daisiesPushingDaisiesthe biggest loserthe officethe sarah connor chroniclesTheBiggestLoserTheOfficeTheSarahConnorChroniclestim kringTimKringtopstories2008Brett LoveWed, 24 Dec 2008 14:05:00 ESTTV 101: The true meaning of TV Christmas specials (OR: You're a mean one, Mr. Black)http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/24/tv-101-the-true-meaning-of-tv-christmas-specials-or-youre-a/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/24/tv-101-the-true-meaning-of-tv-christmas-specials-or-youre-a/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/24/tv-101-the-true-meaning-of-tv-christmas-specials-or-youre-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

See, a public domain alternative to the real thing is just as good... right?If there's one universal among TV Christmas specials it's this: they all seem to want to tell you what the "true" meaning of Christmas is. There are so many specials trying to explain the true meaning of Christmas, it actually makes you wonder if the power of TV to influence has been exaggerated. I mean, you'd think after watching approximately eleventy-five billion hours of holiday programming, we'd have gotten the point already.

Perhaps the reason why America continues to view Christmas less as a time for spiritual reflection than as one for reindeer sweaters, crass consumerism, and suicide contemplation is because our Christmas specials aren't really sending the messages that they claim to be. Sure, on the surface we're told about "peace on earth and goodwill to men, blah blah blah", but there's a bubbling subtext in these specials if you only look hard enough.

I've decided to put my New Jersey state college English degree to good use and break down what Christmas specials are really saying...

Continue reading TV 101: The true meaning of TV Christmas specials (OR: You're a mean one, Mr. Black)

 

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]]>charlie brownCharlieBrownchristmasfeaturedgrinchrudolphsantastephen colbertStephenColberttv 101Tv101Jay BlackWed, 24 Dec 2008 12:03:00 ESTOn the 1st day of Festivus, TV gave to me... - VIDEOhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/23/on-the-1st-day-of-festivus-tv-gave-to-me-video/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/23/on-the-1st-day-of-festivus-tv-gave-to-me-video/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/23/on-the-1st-day-of-festivus-tv-gave-to-me-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Obama makes acceptance speech on Election Night
... one great TV moment.

2008 was filled with great TV moments, more than most years. So when I asked the TV Squad crew what they thought the greatest moment this year was, I got a lot of responses: the Fey / Palin "summit" on SNL, Letterman going off an an absent John McCain, any of Michael Phelps' Olympic victories, the spectacular opening ceremonies in Beijing, the finale of The Shield, any of the Presidential / VP debates, the Giants' upset of the Pats in the Super Bowl, and probably more that I can't even think of right now.

But they all seemed small in comparison to what happened in the late-night hours of Election Day, when Barack Obama got up in front of a crowd in Chicago's Grant Park and gave his acceptance speech. No matter what you think of Obama or his politics, it was a historic moment, and not just because Obama had just been elected the first African-American president. But the reason why it's the best TV moment of 2008 is because... well, moments like this don't happen that much anymore, do they?

Continue reading On the 1st day of Festivus, TV gave to me... - VIDEO

 

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]]>12days2008acceptance speechAcceptanceSpeechbrack obamaBrackObamaelection 2008election dayElection2008ElectionDayfeaturedjon stewartJonStewartoprah winfreyOprahWinfreysam perrySamPerrythe 12 days of festivusThe12DaysOfFestivusJoel KellerTue, 23 Dec 2008 11:02:00 ESTTop TV Stories of 2008: The economy's effect on the TV industryhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/23/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-economys-effect-on-the-tv-industry/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/23/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-economys-effect-on-the-tv-industry/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/23/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-economys-effect-on-the-tv-industry/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

As the economy falls so goes televisionUm, I don't know if anyone has told you yet, but the economy of the United States, and the world, is in the crapper. Seriously, I saw it one day while doing my business. It was just floating there ... one step away from being flushed into the world of depression. I had to get it out with a piece of toilet paper, and it's now drying on my bathtub ledge. Gosh, I hope it's okay.

Anyhoo, things are bad out there. And, not just for us working peons. This recession is affecting everyone, from the muckity-muck CEOs of the soon-to-be bankrupt corporations, to the hot dog vendor outside of Penn Station whose wieners are spending longer and longer amounts of time in their hot water bath. Somewhere in the middle of this are the television networks. Buffeted by both good and bad news, these former stalwarts of the economy are getting knocked around, as well. The meaning, for us poor schlubs, is a restructuring of television as we know it.

Continue reading Top TV Stories of 2008: The economy's effect on the TV industry

 

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]]>CNBCFox BusinessFoxBusinessNBCNeil CavutoNeilCavutoOwned and OperatedOwnedAndOperatedSqawk BoxSqawkBoxtopstories2008TribuneRichard KellerTue, 23 Dec 2008 09:02:00 ESTTop TV Stories of 2008: Fey does Palin - VIDEOShttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/top-tv-stories-of-2008-fey-does-palin-videos/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/top-tv-stories-of-2008-fey-does-palin-videos/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/top-tv-stories-of-2008-fey-does-palin-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

palin/fey

...Ew, not like that, you guys. Although, I'm sure if you did just a few minutes of Googling, you could find that too, in one form or another. What I'm talking about is Tina Fey's brilliant impression of vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. How good was the impression? It was so good that the episodes featuring Fey, and the one that featured Palin herself, were some of SNL's highest-rated episodes in years. Tina Fey's brilliant but ratings-challenged sitcom, 30 Rock received a ratings bump, she scored a multi-million dollar book deal, and newspapers sometimes forgot that they were actually two different people.Not bad for a funny lady who had never been known for her impressions and a governor from a small town no one had ever heard of.

Obama may have been our first celebrity candidate, but Palin was our first beauty queen. Whether you loved her or hated her, it's hard to argue that she was a captivating figure.

Continue reading Top TV Stories of 2008: Fey does Palin - VIDEOS

 

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]]>amy poehlerAmyPoehlerbarack obamaBarackObamafeaturedimpressionsjohn mccainJohnMccainkatie couricKatieCouricpresidential electionPresidentialElectionsarah palinSarahPalinsaturday night liveSaturdayNightLivesnltina feyTinaFeytopstories2008Kona GallagherMon, 22 Dec 2008 17:02:00 ESTMerry Christmas from Kenneth the Page - VIDEOhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/merry-christmas-from-kenneth-the-page-video/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/merry-christmas-from-kenneth-the-page-video/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/merry-christmas-from-kenneth-the-page-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jack McBrayerThe web has really opened the doors to the possibilities for what the networks can do. Some haven't done that much, and even the ones that do took a long time to actually harness the power of the web (and if I ever use the phrase "harness the power of the web" again you can punch me in the groin). I like it when cast members of the shows do something online that's in character but isn't just a promotion for the show.

Case in point, this video from NBC. It shows 30 Rock's Kenneth the Page in a Santa hat all excited about Christmas (and the anniversary of the "Parcell Massacre"), dancing around the 30 Rock hallways with a chair. If you're not in the Christmas mood already, this might put you over the top. McBrayer is great because he seems to be up for anything, including being knocked over by Conan O'Brien.

I'd rather watch video sketches like this than those special "webisodes" that some shows have now. More please!

Continue reading Merry Christmas from Kenneth the Page - VIDEO

 

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]]>30 rockchristmashappy holidaysjack mcbrayerkenneth parcellkenneth the pagenbctgswarm feelingsBob SassoneMon, 22 Dec 2008 15:03:00 ESTSeven of the worst TV Christmas specials - VIDEOShttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/seven-of-the-worst-tv-christmas-specials-videos/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/seven-of-the-worst-tv-christmas-specials-videos/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/seven-of-the-worst-tv-christmas-specials-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Where would we be without the hallowed television Christmas special? We would be engaged in enthralling conversations with relatives who like to give the backstory about the gall bladder operation pictures they still carry in their wallet. We would be playing defense against every breakable item in the house while the neighbor's kids get enough sugar in their systems to power the Space Shuttle. We would not only have to muster the courage to taste Grandma's homemade rum and Kahula fruitcake, but also to pretend that we like it without our stomach turning inside out, crawling up our esophagus and out of our mouth.

Even if those scenarios will be true for you on Dec. 25, I offer you my pity as my Christmas gift. Plus, you still would rather spend it listening to ol' Uncle Hernia Scar than watching one of these holiday hams.

Continue reading Seven of the worst TV Christmas specials - VIDEOS

 

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]]>big birdBigBirdcarrie fisherCarrieFisherchewbaccachristmas specialchristmas specialsChristmasSpecialChristmasSpecialsfeaturedhan soloHanSolohansonharrison fordHarrisonFordhe-manhe-man and the masters of the universeHe-manAndTheMastersOfTheUniversemark hamillMarkHamilloscar the grouchOscarTheGrouchpac-manprincess leiaPrincessLeiarich littleRichLittlesesame streetSesameStreetshe-raskeletorstar warsstar wars holiday specialStarWarsStarWarsHolidaySpecialDanny GallagherMon, 22 Dec 2008 14:15:00 ESTTop TV Stories of 2008: The writers' strike and its aftermathhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-writers-strike-and-its-aftermath/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-writers-strike-and-its-aftermath/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/top-tv-stories-of-2008-the-writers-strike-and-its-aftermath/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Jerry Stiller was just one of the writers on the WGA picket lines in the beginning of 20082008 was a strange one for television. Not because of the intense political and economic coverage, or the 27000 hours of Olympic telecasts, or the fact that Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul held back from killing each other for yet another season. No, the reason for the strangeness was that, at the beginning of the year, the schedule was a bit disjointed. This was thanks to the lengthy writers' strike.

Lasting from early November 2007 until February and costing up to two billion dollars, the WGA strike did something that previous labor disputes had not done to TV in the past: it changed the face of television. These were not cosmetic changes that reverted back to normal once the strike ended. These were changes that altered television as we now it and set the stage for its very uncertain future.

Continue reading Top TV Stories of 2008: The writers' strike and its aftermath

 

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]]>Conan OBrienConanObrienCraig FergusonCraigFergusonDavid LettermanDavidLettermanDVDGolden GlobesGoldenGlobesJon StewartJonStewartnew mediaNewMediaStephen ColbertStephenColbertTCAtopstories2008web episodesWebEpisodesWGARichard KellerMon, 22 Dec 2008 12:28:00 ESTOn the 2nd day of Festivus, TV gave to me...http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/on-the-2nd-day-of-festivus-tv-gave-to-me/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/on-the-2nd-day-of-festivus-tv-gave-to-me/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/22/on-the-2nd-day-of-festivus-tv-gave-to-me/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Shield / The Wire...two perfect series finales.

As TV viewers, we've been conditioned to not let ourselves get too attached to good shows because more often than not, good shows get canceled early. Or, on the flip side, they go on far too long beyond their prime and the series finales end up falling short as unsatisfying afterthoughts.

So it's always a breath of fresh air when a truly quality program ends not only at its peak, but it ends with a series finale that does the entire run of the show justice. It doesn't happen often, and this year we were fortunate to say good-bye on a high note to two of the greatest cop dramas ever made, The Wire and The Shield.

Continue reading On the 2nd day of Festivus, TV gave to me...

 

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]]>-30-12 Days of Festivus12days2008Family MeetingfeaturedFestivusseries finalesThe ShieldThe Wiretwo perfect series finalesJonathan ToomeyMon, 22 Dec 2008 10:31:00 ESTOn the 3rd day of Festivus, TV gave to me... - VIDEOShttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/21/on-the-3rd-day-of-festivus-tv-gave-to-me-videos/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/21/on-the-3rd-day-of-festivus-tv-gave-to-me-videos/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/21/on-the-3rd-day-of-festivus-tv-gave-to-me-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Three Zachs
...three Zachs for viewing.

Perhaps it's just coincidence, but right now our TV world has a trio of superb young actors in very different programs and they're all named Zach. Coincidence or the fact that the year they were born, Zachary was a really popular name for baby boys? Whatever, the bottom line is that Zach Braff, Zachary Levi, and Zachary Quinto are terrific and Scrubs, Chuck and Heroes, respectively, wouldn't be the same without them.

What's really interesting about these three Zachs, beside the fact that they all share the same first name, is that they could probably all play each other's roles -- even though it's hard to imagine Braff or Levi as evil, they're good enough to do it. And Zachary Quinto has done the nerdy, computer guy when he was on 24.

It's interesting, but if you squint a little and tilt your head, they all could look like they're brothers. However, while the Three Zs may pass as the Three Amigos if you put them in sombreros, they are definitely making the TV world a much happier landscape.

Continue reading On the 3rd day of Festivus, TV gave to me... - VIDEOS

 

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]]>12 days of Festivus12days200812DaysOfFestivusABCChuckChuck BartowskiChuckBartowskifeaturedFestivusfestivus2008HeroesJDKipp SteadmanKippSteadmanLess than PerfectLessThanPerfectNBCNimoySacred HeartSacredHeartScrubsSpockSylarZach BraffZachary LeviZachary QuintoZacharyLeviZacharyQuintoZachBraffAllison WaldmanSun, 21 Dec 2008 12:26:00 ESTAll Annie wants for Festivushttp://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/21/all-annie-wants-for-festivus/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/21/all-annie-wants-for-festivus/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/21/all-annie-wants-for-festivus/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Clone HighIt's Festivus. Again. Already. Don't know how, but it is. This whole year has gone so quickly, leaving only a blur in my eyes and a weird taste in my mouth (a strange combination of lime soda and a squid dish I got from a street vendor once in Hong Kong). Following that line of weird, here's my weird list of weird things that I want for Festivus.

More comedy for history geeks: After writing my list of Top Eleven Robot Buddies, I was struck by the terrible lack of history-related humor on today's television. Let's have another Time Squad or Clone High, shall we? Or give Kate Beaton her own television show.

Continue reading All Annie wants for Festivus

 

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]]>clone highCloneHighfestivusjay lenoJayLenomad menMadMentime squadTimeSquadAnnie WuSun, 21 Dec 2008 11:06:00 EST