Varun Lella
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Chuck: Chuck Versus the Helicopter
(S01E02) "No matter how stressed you are, it's never OK to murder a woman's souffle."
If you read my first review or my Early Look post, you know that I love Chuck. I gushed more than a Yellowstone geyser. However, I am going to be very honest about the second episode.
It was a disappointment.
After the hip, sleek, funny, action-packed pilot episode, this episode fell flat. It was kind of boring, nonsensical, and didn't advance the plot in any way shape or form. OK, now I am being a little harsh -- it really wasn't terrible -- but it could have been better.
Continue reading Chuck: Chuck Versus the Helicopter
Chuck: Pilot (series premiere)
(S01E01) "Working on a five year plan, just need to choose a font." - Chuck Bartowski
Last night was the premiere of the shortest-named show in primetime. Shhh ... what do you mean Cane and Life are only four letters? I don't care about House and Bones tying at five letters. I refuse to acknowledge that CSI and ER are still on the air. I think my first line was clever and I am keeping it no matter how wrong it makes me.
Meandering back to the point ... it has been a long time coming for Chuck. For months there have been teasers and web ads bombarding people with its existence and now it is finally here. So let's see if it was worth the wait.
Continue reading Chuck: Pilot (series premiere)
Zachary Levi of Chuck: The TV Squad Interview - AUDIO
So we are doing a little new thing here at TV Squad: the audio interview. It is part interview, part podcast, all fun. Please bear with us (or more specifically me) as we get the format down to something that is both interesting and informative to you, the audience -- kind of like Bill Nye the Science Guy. Only instead of science we have interviews with celebrities ... same difference.It began last week with Joel's interview with Rob McElhenney of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Today I am posting a phone interview I did with Zach Levi of Chuck, which premieres tonight at 8 p.m. EST. If you read my Early Look post, you know that I love this show. Now that I have seen the third episode -- oh, the perks of TV blogging -- my opinions have been confirmed. However, I may have been biased when watching my episodes, because of this interview.
As you will hear, Zach Levi is the nicest guy alive. Very humble and thankful to be in the game. Unlike last week's audio, this is pretty much SFW.
Continue reading Zachary Levi of Chuck: The TV Squad Interview - AUDIO
Bionic Woman -- An early look
When I first heard that NBC was going to remake the 1970s The Bionic Woman, a spin-off of The Six Million Dollar Man, I got more giddy than a schoolgirl with a new Bratz doll -- that is what the kiddies are into, right?
The teaser video for the new Bionic Woman was intriguing to say the least. My first thought was, "Oh my God! This is my new Heroes. " I mean really how could you go wrong in the 18-24 male demo with a hot girl who kicks butt? It is practically like giving a grown-up Claire Bennett (another Heroes reference) her own show.
I heard earlier that Bionic Woman was supposed to be one of the best shows of the fall season ... excitement levels rising. I also found out that I would get to watch the pilot episode of Bionic Woman and get to tell you guys about it ... excitement levels out of control.
So let's see if the show can live up to my own hype.
Continue reading Bionic Woman -- An early look
Chuck -- An early look
Let me make myself clear from the get go: Watch Chuck this fall. I have seen the first two episodes and I am in love. You can read the rest of this spoiler-free early look if you want a little bit more about the show, but I just had to get that off my chest before I started.
Chuck follows the recent trend in television and film of Beta-male leads. What do I mean by that term, one that was obviously developed by some social anthropology professor with too much time on his hands?
Nerds are hot right now.
Continue reading Chuck -- An early look
Ebert holds his thumbs hostage
I love thumbs as much as the next guy. They allow me to grab things, I can use them for sucking in place of my pacifier and, most importantly, they allow me to pass pure, unadulterated judgment on everything from my mom's home-cooked meals (thumbs up) to my new neighbor Steve (sorry Stevie).However, with the news that film critic Roger Ebert plans on withholding his famous thumb movie rating scale, I have grown tired of the thumb. I really wouldn't mind if you just lop it off (his, not mine).
Continue reading Ebert holds his thumbs hostage
Hannah Montana -- show, not girl -- sued
Apparently, many of you TV Squad readers out there on the interwebz -- note the z -- are big fan of Disney Channel's Hannah Montana. Don't ask me how I know this ... I just do. For those of you who do not keep up with kid-friendly cable television, the show follows the life of an average teenager (played by Billy Ray Cyrus' daughter Miley) who happens to also live a double life as an international pop star.The show has been a hit for Disney, generating some record-breaking ratings, two profitable music albums and a whole lotta merchandise. However, some people have to be party poopers.
Yesterday, comedy writer Buddy Sheffield filed a lawsuit alleging the Walt Disney Co. stole the idea of Hannah Montana from him without proper compensation.
Continue reading Hannah Montana -- show, not girl -- sued
Anchorwoman -- An early look -- VIDEO
Okay, I know this isn't really an early look, since the show premieres tonight, but my neighborhood's cable box experienced what the cable company referred to as an unexpected reset, a term which essentially means "No internet for Varun." However, I still love you guys enough to make some use of the pilot for Anchorwoman Fox sent me. Maybe some people who have never heard of this show -- i.e. most of you -- will decide to watch it.
Anchorwoman is a scripted/reality hybrid series that takes a busty fashion model and places her in a small town news station as an evening news anchor. Okay, so far so good.
Continue reading Anchorwoman -- An early look -- VIDEO
Simon Cowell quitting American Idol!!!!!
Okay maybe the five exclamation points weren't necessary, but I thought that they would drive the point across. Yes it is true, the insulter supreme, Simon Cowell, will be leaving America's favorite singing show (no not The Singing Bee) ... in three years.Cowell will be stepping away from his on-screen roles on Idol and the UK's X Factor to work on his music and television production companies. Obviously, there is no word yet on potential replacements. I am hoping for Gary Busey, he seems like he knows how to cut someone down real good.
Continue reading Simon Cowell quitting American Idol!!!!!
Kevin Federline aka K-Fed aka Da Cameo King
Filing this story under "Celebrities" took a chunk right out of my soul. Kevin Federline, otherwise known as Britney's and Shar Jackson's babies daddy, just won't let us forget about him.As soon as it seems that his name will disappear into obscurity, he forces his way back into the public spotlight -- his 15 minutes seems to be stretched out to an hour. This time it's to let us know that he's serious about an acting career. According to a CW press release, through some miracle of God --or joke of the Devil -- Federline has landed an arc on teen drama One Tree Hill.
Continue reading Kevin Federline aka K-Fed aka Da Cameo King
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Scrubs season nine -- An early look
