This week, Daniel [the TV addict] and Ari return from our brief hiatus to look back at the summer in TV that was. Still haven’t taken a chance on our ‘hilarious’ and ‘informative’ podcast? Don’t think we’re a worthy enough diversion from the usual drudgery of your job, workout, grocery shopping and/or dog walking duties? Well take a look at what a recent commenter on iTunes — who we swear isn’t related to us — had to say about the podcast. “Finally a show I care enough to write a review about. Real people talking about things that happen to be TV-centric. The dueling hosts play off each other perfectly with drama club finesse and jaw dropping quick witz. If podcasting were an Olympic sport, they would win gold for being hilarious. Good job!” As per usual, comments are greatly appreciated, as well as reviews on iTunes. Got a question? Feel free to email it to info@thetvaddict.com
[audio:http://cdn.libsyn.com/thetvaddict/thetvaddictpodcast_s02E012.mp3]Archives for August 2008
Good News, Bad News: SWINGTOWN, Emmys and More!
Good News: Turns out ,there are enough fans of SWINGTOWN within CBS that the show might survive to see a second season. Bad News: On cable. [Source]
Good News: THE OC’s Benjamin Mackenzie is in talks with John Wells to join the NBC ensemble drama LAPD. Bad News: Putting to rest any hope that he will be joining the Walker clan on BROTHERS & SISTERS this fall. [Source]
Good News: Neil Patrick Harris and Sarah Chalke have been tapped to host the Emmys this fall. Bad News: And by Emmys, we mean the non-televised Creative Arts Emmys that we’ll be wishing we were at as we suffer through one-liners courtesy of Howie Mandel and Jeff Probst. [Source]
Good News: The TV Addict just completed DEXTER’S Psycho Therapy Test. Bad News: Turns out I may have some ‘issues’! [Find out if you need Therapy by clicking here.]
Jenny’s TV Guide: Friday August 22
Friday marks the series premiere of Discovery Project Earth on the Discovery Channel at 9/8c, followed by a 2nd new episode at 10/9c. You’ve heard the dire warning; you’ve seen the detailed PowerPoint; you’ve even bought that light bulb with the swirls, but how about some real action? Now the world’s leading scientists meet three uncompromising visionaries to put the most ambitious geo-engineering ideas to the test, tackling global climate change.
It’s also the series premiere of Who Are You Wearing on TLC at 10/9c. Red carpet events are known for their glamour, their celebrities, and – most of all – their fashion. Pages of magazines and hours of television are devoted to what famous people are wearing and the question on everyone’s lips always is, “who are you wearing?” TLC gets ready to sew up a brand new meaning to that question when it gives everyday people the opportunity of a lifetime: to design for and dress a celebrity for a red carpet event.
Exclusive Interview: FRINGE Star Lance Reddick
The TV Addict and Lance Reddick in Los Angeles, August 2008
Let me start of by saying that you play two of television’s most mysterious characters. From LOST to FRINGE I have absolutely no idea what you are up to! Do you?
Lance Reddick: In LOST I can definitely say I have no idea!
Do you get that type of reaction a lot?
A fair amount. I have to admit that not that many people have stopped me about LOST, especially after coming off the last and biggest season of THE WIRE. I get stopped for that a lot more.
Thanks to the critical acclaim of THE WIRE and your guest spot on LOST did you even have to audition for your role on FRINGE?
That was the funny thing about FRINGE. I didn’t have to audition for LOST, but with FRINGE I actually auditioned for a different role.
Which role?
Actually when I first read the script the role I thought I was most right for was Broyles. But when I went to audition they had me read for Charlie. So I didn’t hear anything and a month later I got a call to come back and audition for Broyles. A week later I was in Toronto [shooting the pilot]
Fall TV Preview 2008: ONE TREE HILL
By: Amrie Cunningham
When we last left the gang from ONE TREE HILL: Fans were left scratching their heads as to who was on the other end of Lucas’ invitation to a shotgun wedding in Vegas. Brooke, Lindsay or Peyton.
This Season: The cliffhanger will be answered quickly, and we’ll move on from there. But don’t count Lindsay out just because her portrayer Michaela McManus has joined LAW & ORDER: SVU in a much more mature role. Showrunner Mark Schwann promises she’ll be back, although he was mighty fuzzy on the specifics.
Also in store for the denizens of TREE HILL is a little more darkness. With speculation running rampant that Brooke will be heading to a very dark place this season. And while we’re not sure as to why, we’re willing to bet that it has something to do with the mother-from-hell, Victoria [played to perfection by Daphne Zuniga] returning for a multi-episode arc. And speaking of hell. Fans have not seen the last of the babysitter-from-hell Nanny Carrie, who is said to be returning sometime this season. One thing’s for sure, she better not lay a hand on the adorable Jackson Brundage. Or as we like to call him, the cutest kid to hit Hollywood since Jonathan “The human head weighs eight pounds” Lipnicki!
Ask the Addict: VERONICA MARS, PRISON BREAK, BROTHERS & SISTERS and More!
What’s the TV Addict’s take on the rumored VERONICA MARS movie? — Nick C.
The TV Addict: Nick, I can sum up ‘my take’ in three simple words: Not Gonna’ Happen. Which is the reason I didn’t bother linking to Michael Ausiello’s over-hyped story on a possible MARS movie. I mean seriously, what studio head in their right mind is going to invest a minimum of thirty to fifty million dollars on a television series that ranked 148 out of 156 in the ratings?
That’s not to say I wouldn’t love to see Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring and the entire Neptune gang in a full length feature film. I just think that Rob Thomas would be wise to consider the Joss Whedon DR. HORRIBLE approach as NYMag so cleverly suggested, “Set aside a week and $100,000, and shot a couple of mini-Mars stories for download?”
In anticipation of the Fall TV season I counted how many hours of shows I currently watch (16.5) and how many hours of new shows I will start (5.5). OMG! There’s only 21 hours of prime-time in one week to watch these! I don’t know how I’m going to do it? — Linda B.
The TV Addict: Admittedly 22 hours of television per week sounds daunting. But I think if last week’s record-breaking performance by Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps taught us anything, it’s that anything can be accomplished with hard work, determination and one really big DVR. So to those of you who are asking, “Holy Crap, How am I going to fit all this TV viewing in!” This TV Addict has this to say: Stop whining and start watching! Put aside that social life, family and overrated ‘great’ outdoors for a few weeks and enjoy the madness that is September Season Premieres
Jenny’s TV Guide: Thursday August 21
Thursday brings with it a ridiculous amount of series premieres. First up is Destroyed in Seconds on the Discovery Channel at 9/8c, followed by a 2nd new episode at 9:30/8:30c.
Next is the series premiere of Glam God with Vivica A. Fox on VH1 at 10/9c. It searches for the next great celebrity stylist who has what it takes to become the stylist to the stars through their ability to create a chic masterpiece using the three key elements of fashion — hair, make-up and wardrobe. Each week the “stylista” contestants will be asked to compete in various challenges that will test their knowledge of fashion and style trends as they create the perfect look from head to toe. Those that fall short of creating that perfect look will have their style license revoked and will be sent packing. The one stylist that manages to rise above the rest will be given the ultimate reward — the chance to launch a career by styling an A-list celebrity and being awarded $100,000.
Another series premiere is Jacked: Auto Theft Task Force on A&E at 10/9c. A&E takes viewers inside the real-life dramatic pursuits of a specialized elite squad of police officers who set out each night under the cloak of darkness to put car thieves behind bars.
Yet ANOTHER series premiere is Tabatha’s Salon Takeover on Bravo at 10/9c. The straight-talking, perfectly coifed Tabatha Coffey lends her sound advice and styling expertise to help desperate salon owners turn their struggling businesses around.
Fall TV Preview 2008: THE OFFICE
By: Lori Kapes [Special Guest Contributor]
When we last punched in at Dunder Mifflin: We learned that Jan is pregnant, Jim almost proposed to Pam, Toby retired to Costa Rica, Michael has a new potential love interest in Toby’s replacement, Andy proposed to Angela, and poor Phyllis got the surprise of her life when she saw Angela hooking up with former lover Dwight. Can you believe all that took place over one day at the fictional paper company Dunder Mifflin on NBC’s THE OFFICE?
This Season: Jenna Fischer’s character, Pam, got accepted to art school last season and Jim, being the most loveable guy on TV, approved. This season they’ll have to deal with their relationship being long-distance according to Fischer in the August issue of Marie Claire. MAD MEN actor Rich Sommer makes a guest appearance, the duration of his stay isn’t clear but EW’s Michael Ausiello revealed that he plays a fellow art student in Pam’s class, hopefully this doesn’t mean troubled times ahead for Jim and Pam (no one needs another Ross and Rachel).
Oscar Nominated actress Amy Ryan, will be returning as Holly, Toby’s Human Resources replacement, for four more episodes. E! Online’s TV reporter Kristin Dos Santos stated that Toby makes a return to the show. She revealed that it’s by way of a storyline about Costa Rica, not sure though what this means for HR lady Holly.
Play the GOSSIP GIRL Challenge!
Since GOSSIP GIRL showrunners Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage took all the fun out of sending this TV Addict the first three fantastic episodes of GOSSIP GIRL’s second season by swearing me to secrecy. Or to be more specific, asking critics to refrain from spoiling all the scandalous details of one seriously OMFG!—worthy relationship that you definitely won’t see coming. I figure the least I can do is offer up a little tease to hold my fellow GOSSIP guys and gals over until “S,” “B,” “N,” “D,” “C” and “J” return to the small screen with brand new episodes.
So without further ado, theTVaddict.com presents our first ever GOSSIP GIRL “He said/She said” Challenge. To play, simply attribute the quote [lifted directly from the second season premiere] to the correct character in the comments below.*
And be sure to catch the season premiere of GOSSIP GIRL on September 1st at 8PM to see if your guesses were correct. Because this TV Addict is pretty confident that you’re all going to be surprised as to who had trouble getting over whom this summer, you is out for revenge, who’s getting a second chance, not to mention which of your favorite Upper Eastsiders ended off the premiere getting really cozy under the fireworks!
*Please Note: theTVaddict.com edited in both genders so that the game wouldn’t be too easy!
Jenny’s TV Guide: Wednesday August 20
Wednesday marks the season finale of Ghost Hunters International on SciFi at 9/8c and Family Foreman on TV Land at 10/9c.
Tonight’s Olympic coverage includes: Coverage of the Champions Gala: Watch the stars of the Beijing gymnastics competition perform exhibition routines. Also, track and field finals. The U.S. swept the men’s 200m medals four years ago, led by Shawn Crawford, who’s back at the fore of another strong American group. But the favorite may be Jamaican sensation Usain “Lightning” Bolt. Also, the women’s 400m hurdles. BMX racing is one of the new events at the Olympics – an all-out, full-contact race through a twisting course with plenty of jumps. Though the event is unpredictable in nature, the American men have unmatched depth, featuring 2007 world champion Kyle Bennett. On the women’s side, Jill Kintner was the top American finisher at the 2007 World Championships. Defending Olympic beach volleyball champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh could confirm their status as “Queens of the Sand” in the women’s gold medal final (LIVE ET/CT). Their top competition is expected to come from fellow Americans, Brazil and host country China.