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 Kona is thankful forhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/26/what-kona-is-thankful-for/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/26/what-kona-is-thankful-for/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/26/what-kona-is-thankful-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

community
It's Thanksgiving morning as I'm writing this. I've got five pounds of potatoes boiling for our mashed potatoes, the turkey is in the oven, and the butternut squash is cut up for the risotto I'm making. My baby is playing ball with his dad, and the dog is on the couch trying to sleep and just remaining thankful that said baby isn't trying to pet her eyeball right now. I have a lot of things to be thankful for, but as others have said before, me, this is a TV blog, so let's talk about television-related things I'm thankful for.

As we're getting close to the mid-season point, I feel more and more that this is an exceptionally strong season of television-- even with the whole Leno debacle. There are several new shows that I'm quickly falling in love with, and some returning shows that are better than ever. In no particular order, here are things that I am thankful for.

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]]>danny pudiDannyPudidonald gloverDonaldGloverjane lynchJaneLynchjay lenoJayLenojayma maysJaymaMaysjohn lithgowJohnLithgowla bibliotecaLaBibliotecathanksgivingthe trinity killerTheTrinityKillertroy and abedTroyAndAbedtwitterwhat kona is thankful forWhatKonaIsThankfulForKona GallagherThu, 26 Nov 2009 15:06:00 ESTWhat Jane is thankful forhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/26/what-jane-is-thankful-for/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/26/what-jane-is-thankful-for/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/26/what-jane-is-thankful-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Eric Northman, True BloodHappy Thanksgiving! It's that time of year when we reflect on all the good things in our lives, and of course, my thoughts turn to TV. Let's take a look at a few things on the tube that make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Sexy vampires. Oh my, we got lots of them this year. The Twilight Saga: New Moon's got nothin' on TV vampires. Eric Northman and Bill Compton from True Blood are definitely at the top of my list. Pictured is that hunk o' steamy vamp himself, Eric, a.k.a. Alexander Skarsgard in real life. But we also got those lovely Salvatore brothers on The Vampire Diaries. Elena certainly has some high-class problems, doesn't she? Steadfast Stefan or bad-vamp Damon? They both have their particular gifts.

Continue reading What Jane is thankful for

 

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]]>alexander skarsgardbill comptoncal lightmancastlechelsea handlerchelsea latelychris colferdamon salvatoredefying gravityeric northmanfringegleeguy branumian mckellenian somerhalderjim caviezellie to menew moonpaul wesleysexy vampiresstana katicstefan salvatorestephen moyerthe prisonerthe vampire dairiestim rothtrue bloodvampireswalter bishopJane BoursawThu, 26 Nov 2009 09:02:00 ESTWhat Mike M. is thankful forhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/25/what-mike-m-is-thankful-for/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/25/what-mike-m-is-thankful-for/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/25/what-mike-m-is-thankful-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

dexter lithgow
To paraphrase Dexter's Trinity Killer, traditions matter because they give us a sense of history. They also teach us who we are and what's expected of us.

So in celebration of that fiendish character's warped but delightfully old-fashioned worldview, I'm happy to take part in this little Thanksgiving Day tradition we have here at TV Squad. Here are a few things I'm thankful for this TV season ...

Year four of Dexter - Well, duh ... Sure, the Batista-Laguerta relationship is a little dull, and Quinn is a poor stand-in for Dokes, but Dexter's dealings with Trinty and his Dark Passenger are fascinating to watch. John Lithgow's complex and unnerving portrayal of suburban serial killer Arthur Mitchell is sure to earn him an Emmy nod, if not the win.

Community - Here's the thing: It's just so damn funny. And it has the best and weirdest cast of characters on TV. I can't get enough of Señor Chang and Abed.

Continue reading What Mike M. is thankful for

 

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]]>30 rock30RockcommunitydexterGleesmallvillestar trekstargateStarTrekthanksgivingMike MoodyWed, 25 Nov 2009 17:04:00 ESTSesame Street's 40th: Five funniest charactershttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/13/sesame-streets-40th-five-funniest-characters/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/13/sesame-streets-40th-five-funniest-characters/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/13/sesame-streets-40th-five-funniest-characters/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's not surprising that a colorful and lively show like Sesame Street, one devised by the genius that was Muppets creator Jim Henson, was at heart a comedy. What is surprising is that so many adults who grew up with the show still find it so damn funny (or maybe that has more to do with the rise of marijuana use, but beggars can't be users, er, choosers).

In fact, a recent box set of the show's earliest episodes came with a disclaimer that the episodes contained within it were "not for kids." That's also because it contained the rare lost episode from the early 1970s when Grover and Prairie Dawn accidentally wandered into the Plato's Retreat swingers club where they learned the difference between "top" and "bottom".

The point is adults can find just as much to laugh at as their kids do and here are the biggest chortle-makers.

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]]>bert and erniebert and ernie gaybert and ernies relationshipBertAndErnieBertAndErnieGayBertAndErniesRelationshipcookie monsterCookieMonsterElmofeaturedgroverRicky Gervaidricky gervaisRicky GerviasRickyGervaidRickyGervaisRickyGerviassesame streetsesame street 40th anniversarysesame street birthdaysesame street classicssesame street workshopSesameStreetSesameStreet40thAnniversarySesameStreetBirthdaySesameStreetClassicsSesameStreetWorkshopsuper groverSuperGrovertvsquad listsTvsquadListsDanny GallagherFri, 13 Nov 2009 11:02:00 ESTSesame Street's 40th: Five biggest controversieshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/12/sesame-streets-40th-five-biggest-controversies/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/12/sesame-streets-40th-five-biggest-controversies/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/12/sesame-streets-40th-five-biggest-controversies/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sit a kid in front of a TV for an hour a day and a parent is bound to find something that offends them, other than the fact that plopping impressionable minds in front of a TV unsupervised is considered "good parenting."

Sesame Street is no stranger to controversy. Critics, cynics and crybabies have called out the show on everything from questionable behavior to the ambiguous situations...of puppets. Of course, all of these complaints and cackling criticisms just scratch the surface of a much bigger issue that has largely gone unaddressed: the total loss of our sanity and grasp on reality.

So as we look back at the last 40 years of television's greatest children's show, we see some speed bumps along the way. These are the ones that caused the greatest loss of tire pressure.

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]]>abby cadabbyAbby CaddabyAbbyCadabbyAbbyCaddabybert and erniebert and ernie gaybert and ernies relationshipBertAndErnieBertAndErnieGayBertAndErniesRelationshipbill oreillyBillOreillycolbert reportcolbert report videosColbertReportColbertReportVideoscookie monsterCookieMonsterculture warriorCultureWarriorfeaturedfox newsfox news channelFoxNewsFoxNewsChannelgrundgettakami the muppet with HIVKamiTheMuppetWithHivoscar the grouchOscarTheGrouchpox newsPoxNewssesame streetsesame street 40th anniversarysesame street birthdaysesame street controversiesSesameStreetSesameStreet40thAnniversarySesameStreetBirthdaySesameStreetControversiesstephen colbertstephen colberts hard hitting interview with cookie monsterStephenColbertStephenColbertsHardHittingInterviewWithCookieMonsterveggie monsterVeggieMonsterDanny GallagherThu, 12 Nov 2009 11:01:00 ESTSesame Street 40th: Five greatest animated shortshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/11/sesame-street-40th-five-greatest-animated-shorts/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/11/sesame-street-40th-five-greatest-animated-shorts/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/11/sesame-street-40th-five-greatest-animated-shorts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This week marks the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street, the greatest and most celebrated kids' show in the history of the known universe.

Its cast of colorful character and innovative use of the medium have made it more than just entertainment for the young ones. It's a children's show that has educated the growing minds of children all over the world. It's a show that has shaped a generation into curious and innovative people. It's a show that could kick the ass of any other children's show on the planet if the two were in some sort of a weird battle to the death, provided that no weapons were involved and Justice League doesn't count as a kids' show.

To celebrate this momentous day in television history, I'm compiling the most interesting moments, memories and characters from the show's 40 years into four special lists for their anniversary week (Why four? Because 40 would break the last ounce of my spirit), starting now with the show's best short cartoons.

Continue reading Sesame Street 40th: Five greatest animated shorts

 

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]]>animated shortsAnimatedShortsboundincounting pinball machineCountingPinballMachinejeff haleJeffHaleladybug picnicLadybugPicnicluxo jr.LuxoJr.nu nu nu nu typewriterNuNuNuNuTypewriterpixarpixar carspixar studiosPixarCarspixars carsPixarsCarsPixarStudiospointer sistersPointerSisterssesame streetsesame street 40th anniversarysesame street classicssesame street workshopSesameStreetSesameStreet40thAnniversarySesameStreetClassicsSesameStreetWorkshoptalking typewriterTalkingTypewriterthe teeny little super guyTheTeenyLittleSuperGuyDanny GallagherWed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 ESTTV Squad Ten: Cartoon women who should have Playboy centerfoldshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/10/tv-squad-ten-cartoon-women-who-should-have-playboy-centerfolds/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/10/tv-squad-ten-cartoon-women-who-should-have-playboy-centerfolds/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/10/tv-squad-ten-cartoon-women-who-should-have-playboy-centerfolds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Marge Simpson in PlayboyMarge Simpson's spread in Playboy was a groundbreaking moment for cartoon women everywhere. Her sensual skin pics paved new ground for the "feminine-animated."

She told the world that the women of animation aren't just vehicles for humor or straight characters to set up punchlines for the males on the paper. She helped us realize they have thoughts, feelings, emotions and yes, even urges that make them unique, infinitely interesting and utterly fascinating. They are, as Dr. Frasier Crane so eloquently put it, "like a fine wine: always intoxicated, ever surprising and only getting better with age."

And so, for the cause of gender equality and female empowerment, here are the ten cartoon chicks who should pose naked because it would be righteously awesome.

Continue reading TV Squad Ten: Cartoon women who should have Playboy centerfolds

 

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]]>animaniacsapril oneilAprilOneilbetty rubbleBettyRubblecaptain ncaptain n the game masterCaptainNCaptainNTheGameMastercartoon babescartoon chickscartoon girlscartoon womenCartoonBabesCartoonChicksCartoonGirlsCartoonWomencheetaradaphne blakeDaphneBlakefeaturedflintstonesfuturamahello nurseHelloNursemarge simpsonmarge simpson coverMarge Simpson nudemarge simpson playboyMargeSimpsonMargeSimpsonCoverMargeSimpsonNudeMargeSimpsonPlayboyprincess lanaPrincessLanaScoobyscooby dooscooby-dooScoobyDoosmurfetteSmurfsstories that will prevent me from ever getting a date againStoriesThatWillPreventMeFromEverGettingADateAgainstripperellateenage mutant ninja turlteteenage mutant ninja turtlesteenage mutant ninja...TeenageMutantNinja...TeenageMutantNinjaTurlteTeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesthundercatsturanga leelaTurangaLeelaDanny GallagherTue, 10 Nov 2009 11:05:00 ESTSix Mad Men characters who are in limbo after the finalehttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/09/six-mad-men-characters-who-are-in-limbo-after-the-finale/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/09/six-mad-men-characters-who-are-in-limbo-after-the-finale/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/09/six-mad-men-characters-who-are-in-limbo-after-the-finale/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mad Men Season 3 finale
That was some Mad Men finale, wasn't it? If you haven't seen it yet, please stop reading now, because there was just too much going on for me not to just launch into some discussion.

OK, I'll wait until after the jump to really get into things. But, suffice to say, the end of season three left some characters going down a pretty well-determined path, but others have entered a sort of limbo state, where we don't quite know what their roles will be in season four.

Continue reading Six Mad Men characters who are in limbo after the finale

 

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]]>aaron statonAaronStatonabigail spencerAbigailSpencerbetty draperBettyDraperbryan battBryanBattchelcie rossChelcieRossfeaturedjanuary jonesJanuaryJonesjon hammJonHammken cosgroveKenCosgrovemad menMadMenmatthew weinerMatthewWeinermichael gladisMichaelGladispaul kinseyPaulKinseysalvatore romanoSalvatoreRomanoseason 3season finaleseason threeSeason3SeasonFinaleSeasonThreesix characters in limboSixCharactersInLimbosterling coopersterling cooper draper priceSterlingCooperSterlingCooperDraperPricesuzanne farrellSuzanneFarrelltv squad listTvSquadListJoel KellerMon, 09 Nov 2009 14:02:00 ESTFive reasons V didn't work for mehttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/08/five-reasons-v-didnt-work-for-me/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/08/five-reasons-v-didnt-work-for-me/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/08/five-reasons-v-didnt-work-for-me/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

V_pilot_elizabeth_mitchell
You probably heard that ABC's V premiere got off to a big start in the ratings. In fact, it was the biggest drama series premiere of the season, seen by 14.3 million viewers and netting a 5.2 rating among adults 18-49. What does all that mean? To me, it says that even without the skywriting promotion that was canned, ABC marketing had raised awareness and drew the curious, the sci-fi fans, the nostalgic and a few more watchers for the launch.

Despite the big number, there's a good chance that V will sink in future outings because viewers like me were not hooked. I wanted to fall in like/love, but it didn't happen. Here's five reasons why:

Continue reading Five reasons V didn't work for me

 

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]]>ABCElizabeth MitchellElizabethMitchellfast startFastStartFBIIndependence DayIndependenceDaylizardsLostminiseriesNBCratingsVAllison WaldmanSun, 08 Nov 2009 14:02:00 ESTEight TV character-inspired Halloween candieshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/30/eight-tv-character-inspired-halloween-candies/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/30/eight-tv-character-inspired-halloween-candies/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/30/eight-tv-character-inspired-halloween-candies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Halloween_candy_corn
The candy manufacturers had better watch out, because as Halloween is approaching, TV shows have been coming up with their own candies, inspired by some of the more colorful, interesting characters. Take a look at this list, and see which are treats and which are tricks. And, listen, tell us what kind of candy your favorite TV characters might inspire!

8. How I Met Your Mother - Robin Scherbatsky's Canadian corn
Oh, Canada. Slutty pumpkins aside, Robin had to convince her American friends that Canada not only celebrates Halloween, but Canadian corn is the best Halloween candy ever. That's right, Canadian corn. It's like candy corn, only it's orange on the top and white on the bottom. It also tastes like pancakes because it isn't made with corn syrup; it's made with maple syrup.

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]]>AbbyCanadacandyCandy CornCandyCorncharacter-inspiredEverlasting GobstopperEverlastingGobstopperFrankie HeckFrankieHeckHalloweenHot TamalesHotTamalesMichael ScottMichaelScottNCISSheldon CooperSheldonCooperThe MiddleThe OfficeTheMiddleTheOfficeUgly BettyUglyBettyAllison WaldmanFri, 30 Oct 2009 14:02:00 ESTFive reasons I'm not hooked on NCIS: LAhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/30/five-reasons-im-not-hooked-on-ncis-la/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/30/five-reasons-im-not-hooked-on-ncis-la/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/30/five-reasons-im-not-hooked-on-ncis-la/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

ncis_la_cast
If I tell you right now, before November sweeps, that CBS will renew NCIS: Los Angeles for a second season, you won't be surprised. The pre-season projections for this show were that it was a guaranteed success. It wasn't only that it was a spinoff from CBS's top-rated drama series, NCIS. No, it was programming. CBS slotted NCIS: LA in the hour right after NCIS. It had a very strong spot, a monster lead in.

Continue reading Five reasons I'm not hooked on NCIS: LA

 

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]]>007CallenChris ODonnellChrisOdonnellJames BondJamesBondLL Cool JLlCoolJNCISNCIS LANCIS Los AngelesNcisLaNcisLosAngelesNielsenThe IncrediblesTheIncrediblestop ratedTopRatedAllison WaldmanFri, 30 Oct 2009 10:03:00 ESTSix things that annoy me about the baseball playoffshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/21/six-things-that-annoy-me-about-the-baseball-playoffs/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/21/six-things-that-annoy-me-about-the-baseball-playoffs/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/21/six-things-that-annoy-me-about-the-baseball-playoffs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Kate Hudson watching A-Rod at the Yankees-Angels ALCS Game 3No, this is not going to be another post about the shoddy umpiring or spittle analysis or any of the other on-field matters that have been going on in baseball since the playoffs began. No, we're on a TV blog, so I'm going to just talk about the things that have annoyed me about FOX's and TBS's coverage of the ALCS and the NLCS. In no particular order:

1. The Fidelity-sponsored Fox Trak. The pitching tracker, which shows if a pitch actually hit the strike zone or not, has been around for years. But, the flight of the ball has been to this point represented by a red streak and a dot. Now that Fidelity Investments is sponsoring the tracker, the red streak/dot combo has been replaced by a green streak/green arrow combo that mimics Fidelity's "stay on the line" series of ads. What financial guidance has to do with balls and strikes, I'll never know.

Continue reading Six things that annoy me about the baseball playoffs

 

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]]>A-RodALCSalex rodriguezAlexRodriguezamerican league championship seriesAmericanLeagueChampionshipSeriesangelsannoyingblack eyed peasBlackEyedPeasdirectvdodgersDodgers - PhilliesDodgers-Phillieskate hudsonKateHudsonnational league championship seriesNationalLeagueChampionshipSeriesNLCSphillieswill.i.amyankeesYankees - AngelsYankees-AngelsJoel KellerWed, 21 Oct 2009 18:02:00 ESTThings I don't get about NCIS: Los Angeleshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/12/things-i-dont-get-about-ncis-los-angeles/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/12/things-i-dont-get-about-ncis-los-angeles/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/12/things-i-dont-get-about-ncis-los-angeles/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

NCIS Los AngelesI love military style series. I haven't missed one episode of JAG or its spin-off NCIS over the years -- I even watched reruns, including airings dubbed in French! -- and have watched all NCIS: Los Angeles since it began.

What I like most about NCIS: LA is that they do undercover missions, taking different personae and using gadgets, and that it stars one of my movie crushes when I was a teen, Chris O'Donnell, as well as the talented Linda Hunt.

Sadly, there are small things that I don't get about the series. These small issues are sort of bugging me and making me not enjoy the show as much as I would like as I keep asking myself these questions every episode.

Do you share the same issues? Do you have answers for me so I can enjoy the show as I want to? The list of things I don't get about NCIS: LA coming up!

Continue reading Things I don't get about NCIS: Los Angeles

 

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]]>CBSChris ODonnellChrisOdonnellissuesJAGLinda HuntLindaHuntLL Cool JLlCoolJLos AngelesLosAngelesNCISquestionIsabelle CarreauMon, 12 Oct 2009 14:05:00 ESTTV Squad Ten: best Twilight Zone episodeshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/05/tv-squad-ten-best-twilight-zone-episodes/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/05/tv-squad-ten-best-twilight-zone-episodes/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/05/tv-squad-ten-best-twilight-zone-episodes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Twilight ZoneThere is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.

Friday marked the 50th Anniversary of The Twilight Zone's debut on CBS. The first episode was titled "Where Is Everybody?" and featured Earl Holliman as a military man trapped in a town where it seems everyone has vanished. You find out at the end that it was all an experiment to see how astronauts would handle being alone on long missions. Holliman was really safe.

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]]>a world of differencebest episodes of the twilight zonecbseye of the beholderits a good lifenick of timenothing in the darkrod serlingstopover in a quiet townthe four of us are dyingthe invadersthe midnight sunthere is a fifth dimensionto serve mantv squad tentwilight zonewalking distanceBob SassoneMon, 05 Oct 2009 14:10:00 ESTTV Squad Ten: My favorite HBO showshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/09/29/tv-squad-ten-my-favorite-hbo-shows/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/09/29/tv-squad-ten-my-favorite-hbo-shows/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/09/29/tv-squad-ten-my-favorite-hbo-shows/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

True Blood - Anna Paquin and Stephen MoyerHBO has slowly become my favorite network over the past few years. I don't know if it's because the mainstream networks have turned to lots of reality programming or what, but HBO just seems to get better and better. Just about every show on the premium channel is feature film quality (if not better), and I've got some favorites listed below.

I know I'm missing a few biggies, like Rome, Deadwood, Flight of the Conchords, and Extras, but it's only because I either haven't watched these shows or have only watched a few episodes -- not enough to make an informed opinion. I'm sure they'll make my Jane After Dark column at some point in the future. So I hope you'll tell me your favorites in the comments below.

Continue reading TV Squad Ten: My favorite HBO shows

 

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]]>big loveBigLovecurb your enthusiasmCurbYourEnthusiasmentouragefeaturedhboin treatmentInTreatmentsex and the citySexAndTheCitysix feet underSixFeetUnderthe no. 1 ladies detective agencythe sopranosthe wireTheNo.1LadiesDetectiveAgencyTheSopranosTheWireJane BoursawTue, 29 Sep 2009 11:11:00 ESTJane After Dark: Five reasons I'm loving Castlehttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/09/27/jane-after-dark-five-reasons-im-loving-castle/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/09/27/jane-after-dark-five-reasons-im-loving-castle/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/09/27/jane-after-dark-five-reasons-im-loving-castle/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Castle - Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion
This week in Jane After Dark, I caught up with season one of Castle. I'm a sucker for fun whodunits, especially when they feature great male and female characters who've perfected the art of the snappy banter. Specifically, here are five reasons why I'm loving Castle:

1. Nathan Fillion is boyishly charming. I've been a big fan of this Joss Whedon favorite since seeing him in 2005's feature film Serenity. I finally completed that awesome circle by watching Firefly last winter. Fillion has the ability to be goofy one minute and deadly serious the next. In Castle, he plays Richard Castle, a best-selling mystery author who's raising a 15-year-old daughter Alexis (Molly C. Quinn) -- and, in many ways, his free-spirited live-in mother Martha (Susan Sullivan), as well. Having killed off his latest fictional character, Richard found inspiration in NYPD detective Kate Beckett, after being called in to advise on a case. Now they're working as pseudo-partners.

Continue reading Jane After Dark: Five reasons I'm loving Castle

 

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]]>alexis castleAlexisCastlecastlecastle season 1CastleSeason1jane after darkJaneAfterDarkkate beckettKateBeckettmartha rodgersMarthaRodgersmolly c. quinnMollyC.Quinnnathan fillionNathanFillionrichard castleRichardCastlestana katicStanaKaticsusan sullivanSusanSullivanJane BoursawSun, 27 Sep 2009 15:01:00 ESTSeven shows that need funny commentators more than American Idolhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/09/22/seven-shows-that-need-funny-commentators-more-than-american-idol/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/09/22/seven-shows-that-need-funny-commentators-more-than-american-idol/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/09/22/seven-shows-that-need-funny-commentators-more-than-american-idol/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Ellen DeGeneresAmerican Idol's choice of Ellen DeGeneres as a judge replacement threw everyone for a loop, even schlubs like me who don't watch the show.

It's not that she's not talented, successful or funny. It's just an odd choice, putting a comedian on the show that takes its goal of crushing losers' dreams on live television so seriously. It would evoke the same reaction from me if they picked Andrew "Dice" Clay as the new judge, if the Diceman was talented, successful or funny.

And besides, why do they need humor and comedy on such an otherwise serious show? There are lots of humorless, vapid and downright boring shows that are crying out for comedic interjection.

Continue reading Seven shows that need funny commentators more than American Idol

 

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]]>american idolamerican idol judgeamerican idol judge paula abdulAmericanIdolAmericanIdolJudgeAmericanIdolJudgePaulaAbdulbill oreillyBillOreillyc-spanc-span 2c-span hdC-span2c-spanhddancing with the sta...dancing with the starsdancing with the stars backstage reportdancing with the stars cursedancing with the stars discussiondancing with the stars recapDancingWithTheSta...DancingWithTheStarsDancingWithTheStarsBackstageReportDancingWithTheStarsCurseDancingWithTheStarsDiscussionDancingWithTheStarsRecaped schultzEdSchultzellen degeneresEllenDegeneresfeaturedglenn beckGlennBeckjohn hensonjohn henson wipeoutJohnHensonJohnHensonWipeoutkeith olbermannKeithOlbermannlast call with carson dalyLastCallWithCarsonDalythe real housewives of atlantathe real housewives of new jerseythe real housewives of new york citythe real housewives of orange countythe real housewives of the ocTheRealHousewivesOfAtlantaTheRealHousewivesOfNewJerseyTheRealHousewivesOfNewYorkCityTheRealHousewivesOfOrangeCountyTheRealHousewivesOfTheOcwipeoutDanny GallagherTue, 22 Sep 2009 11:05:00 ESTTV Squad Ten: Joss Whedon's big badshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/31/tv-squad-ten-joss-whedons-big-bads/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/31/tv-squad-ten-joss-whedons-big-bads/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/31/tv-squad-ten-joss-whedons-big-bads/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

spike dru buffy
Before pondering the meaning of identity on Dollhouse, Joss Whedon gave us some great shows featuring iconic heroes and some really nasty but unforgettable villains.

Unlike Dollhouse, most of Whedon's earlier shows featured a "big bad," a major villain who caused trouble throughout an entire season, or series, for the heroes and their friends. Luckily, Whedon's heroes always managed to outwit these evildoers, but they couldn't stop them from stealing scenes and making the Whedonverse a very, very dangerous place to live.

Let's take a look back at some of Whedon's best "big bads" that made life a living hell for Buffy, Angel and Captain Mal.

Continue reading TV Squad Ten: Joss Whedon's big bads

 

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]]>angelbuffy the vampire slayerBuffyTheVampireSlayerdollhousefeaturedfireflyjoss whedonJossWhedonlistliststv squad tenTvSquadTenMike MoodyMon, 31 Aug 2009 11:05:00 ESTEight of TV's toughest interrogatorshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/26/eight-of-tvs-toughest-interrogators/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/26/eight-of-tvs-toughest-interrogators/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/26/eight-of-tvs-toughest-interrogators/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

sayid_lost_abc
The fine art of interrogation may seem lost thanks to suspects lawyering up and the Miranda warning. Whatever happened to the days when a snarling cop could throw a perp against a brick wall to get him to squeal? Or a sly questioner could finagle a confession by laying on a guilt trip? Still, there are some very clever, brilliant interrogators plying their trade on these days. In fact, when you look at these eight interrogators, you'll probably agree that they know just how to get to the truth. Here are the eight top interrogators on TV today:

8. Captain James Brass, CSI
Brass is the most "old school" of all these interrogators. He's like Andy Sipowicz from NYPD Blue, only without the violence. Brass talks to suspects with a modicum of respect, but a healthy cynicism. He's seen it all and knows the truth is in there somewhere. He asks questions and waits for them to trip themselves up. When they do, he has them write it down. Despite the laconic attitude, Brass has the brass to get the job done.

Continue reading Eight of TV's toughest interrogators

 

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]]>Brenda Leigh JohnsonBrendaLeighJohnsonBurn NoticeBurnNoticeCal LightmanCalLightmanfeaturedGorenGregory HouseGregoryHouseLaw and Order Criminal IntentLawAndOrderCriminalIntentLie to MeLieToMeLostPatrick JanePatrickJaneSayidThe CloserThe MentalistTheCloserTheMentalistTVS listTVS top interrogatorsTvsListTvsTopInterrogatorsAllison WaldmanWed, 26 Aug 2009 10:00:00 ESTJane After Dark: Eight things I learned while watching Gossip Girlhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/23/jane-after-dark-eight-things-i-learned-while-watching-gossip-gi/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/23/jane-after-dark-eight-things-i-learned-while-watching-gossip-gi/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/23/jane-after-dark-eight-things-i-learned-while-watching-gossip-gi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Gossip Girl
I'm almost to the end of Gossip Girl season two, and frankly, I couldn't be happier! It's been quite taxing watching rich snobs backstab their best friends night after night. I'll need a short break before season three premieres on The CW on Sept. 14.

But, as with everything, I try to glean some small bits of wisdom here and there, things to help me in my quest for peace, serenity, and large amounts of cash. Here are a few things I've learned from Gossip Girl:

1. Never tell the truth. Apparently, this is the first thing they learn in finishing schools. Never tell the truth, whether you're lying to your best friend about getting into Yale, lying to your girlfriend about where you've been for the past three days, or lying to your kids about their sibling you gave away at birth. Keep a spreadsheet handy to keep track of all the various lies you've told and plan to tell.

Continue reading Jane After Dark: Eight things I learned while watching Gossip Girl

 

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]]>blake livelyBlakeLivelychace crawfordChaceCrawforded westwickEdWestwickgossip girlgossip girl listsgossip girl season 2GossipGirlGossipGirlListsGossipGirlSeason2jane after darkJaneAfterDarkleighton meesterLeightonMeesterpenn badgleyPennBadgleythe cwTheCwJane BoursawSun, 23 Aug 2009 11:17:00 EST