Win a trip for 2 to L.A. for the So You Think You Can Dance dance-off

Short-Lived Shows: Married People - VIDEO

Married PeopleMy roommates and I were obsessed with this show when it was on in 1990. We were all living in the same condo, all of them in college and me...not. We'd spend our time playing tennis, eating subs and Chinese, and watching Star Trek: TNG, MacGyver, reruns of Spenser: For Hire, and this show.

Married People was a short-lived sitcom on ABC. It was about the lives of several married couples who all lived in the same building in New York City. The star of the show was Jay Thomas, who was married to Bess Armstrong (they were the "middle" couple). The "older" couple (also the landlords in the building) was played by Ray Aranha and Barbara Montgomery, and the "younger" couple was played by Chris Young (from Max Headroom) and Megan Gallivan. Several episodes were directed by veteran director Asaad Kelada.

Continue reading Short-Lived Shows: Married People - VIDEO

Nerve picks the best TV commercial parodies - VIDEO

SNLTV commercials are fairly easy to satirize. If you think about it, advertising is sort of ridiculous in the first place (a TV show is interrupted to ask you to buy toilet paper and gum?), so they're a natural for parody. There have been a lot of great parodies over the years, from shows such as Saturday Night Live and SCTV, and now Nerve has picked the 50 that they consider to be the best.

There are a lot of great choices, from SNL's "Colon Blow," "Schmitt's Gay Beer," and "Compulsion by Calvin Klein" to the Zoloft ad from Mad TV. One of my favorites is SNL's "Happy Fun Ball" spot, which was written by Jack Handey and included in his new book of essays What I'd Say To The Martians. It's a good list all around, though it's also one that I feel is missing a bunch of good ones, only I can't put my finger on which ones are missing at the moment.

The one they pick as number one is undoubtedly a classic, though I think it's overrated. I've always loved the one after the jump.

Continue reading Nerve picks the best TV commercial parodies - VIDEO

Former Simpsons producers are asked to Sit Down, Shut Up

Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein are teaming up for a new FOX animated seriesAs Bob reported earlier this week, FOX is considering a number of new animated series for its schedule. Most likely due to the fact that their new live-action series tend to, um, stink. One of those being considered is Sit Down, Shut Up, which may have an upper hand over its competitor The Pitts due to the creative talent behind the show.

I'm talking about Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein. Fans of The Simpsons would know these two as writers and executive producers of the show during its so-called golden years. Others may know them from their WB animated series Mission Hill and their sort-lived UPN live-action comedy The Mullets. Now they have been named executive producers on Sit Down, Shut Up. They will be taking the creative reigns from Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz, who wrote the first script and now wants to be in a more supervisory role.

Continue reading Former Simpsons producers are asked to Sit Down, Shut Up

Was Kathy Griffin dumped over Jesus joke?

Kathy GriffinControversy continues to swirl around the Disney Channel's once-squeaky-clean Hannah Montana series. Now Kathy Griffin is telling Entertainment Weekly she was fired from the series for comments she made at last year's Creative Arts Emmys.

I dunno. Does "Suck it, Jesus! This award is my god now!" seem all that bad? That's probably one of the classier things the D-List comedian has ever said.

But Griffin didn't go quietly into the night, opting instead to fire off a few shots at the show's star, Miley Cyrus, whose racy Vanity Fair photos are making the water cooler rounds this week. "[She] has been flashing her green bra and posing topless," said Griffin. "I was basically told, 'Disney doesn't want you anywhere near the building.'"

Continue reading Was Kathy Griffin dumped over Jesus joke?

DVD rumors: a 10th anniversary set for Sports Night?

Sports NightThis news could make Sports Night fans go crazy like ... well, people who go crazy and stuff.

TV Shows On DVD is reporting that a 10th anniversary set for the short-lived ABC comedy is in the works, to be released this fall. As fans know, a complete DVD set for the show was already released a few years ago, but it didn't have any extras on it at all (and I remember that some of the first DVDs had a lot of problems with skipping and freezing, though I've never had a problem with my set). This set is rumored to have extras on it, and we can only hope that includes commentaries by the cast and Aaron Sorkin.

No word yet on who is putting it out or even why this set is getting the anniversary treatment (other than it's a great show and deserves it!). Maybe the success of Felicity Huffman and Brenda Strong on Desperate Housewives helped.

Spike gets its own comedy series

Mitch RouseSpike TV has ordered six episodes of Factory, a largely improvised comedy revolving around four small-town factory workers who'd rather do anything than work at their boring jobs, according to a Hollywood Reporter story. It will be the Guy Network's first original comedy series.

Set to premiere on June 29 at 10 p.m., Factory is directed, produced by, and stars Mitch Rouse (pictured), co-creator of Strangers With Candy, the short-lived TV series that ran from 1999-2000, as well as the 2005 prequel feature film by the same name.

Rouse has an interesting list of credits. In addition to numerous feature films, he played Dr. Ryan Gibson on According to Jim (come on, there must be someone out there who watches this show), Fireman #1 on Reno 911, and was a regular on Exit 57, a mid-1990s comedy-sketch show.

Continue reading Spike gets its own comedy series

Miley Cyrus vs. Vanity Fair

Miley CyrusMiley Cyrus has released a statement regarding the controversial new pictures of her in Vanity Fair. According to a report from E!: "I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed," she says. "I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about.'"

In the pictures, taken by Annie Leibovitz, 15 year old Miley appears to be topless, covered by a blanket. Now hackles are raised in all corners. Vanity Fair insists that Miley's parents were on set and approved of the photos. Other sources say her parents left before those shots were taken. Disney weighs in saying Miley was manipulated in order to sell magazines. And the voice of reason, oddly enough me in this case, would like to add, "Who the hell takes topless, or implied topless, pictures of a 15 year old girl in the first place?" Right? Shouldn't the whole thing have been avoided with basic common sense?

Is an apple bong too strong for Paramount?

Home GrownWhen I was younger, people I knew had various ways of smoking weed. One guy even made a bong out of an apple once. I didn't know it at the time, but now I look back and he seems like the MacGyver of pot smokers. Though he's not the only one who did such a thing, of course.

Case in point: the cover of the new Comedy Central Home Grown DVD. It's a DVD that showcases various episodes of Comedy Central shows, including Chappelle's Show, Reno 911, TV Funhouse, The Sarah Silverman Program, Lewis Black's Root of All Evil, and Strangers with Candy. This is the cover that Paramount released to media outlets back in March. Now they've changed the cover to this, a closeup of a giant mushroom. Looks like they had second thoughts about having a bong on the cover of a DVD and decided to change it. Of course, I'm not sure if a mushroom connection is something they thought about all the way (and also having some people think of a penis when they see the cover, ahem).

The DVD comes out on June 10.

Aliens in America's Raja joins Nip/Tuck

Aliens in AmericaIt's unknown if The CW's comedy Aliens in America will be renewed or not for a second season. However, we can get a hint from the fact that one of the show's stars landed a role, mind you a recurring one, on a well-established series.

Adhir Kalyan, who plays Raja on The CW show, landed an important recurring role on FX's Nip/Tuck.

Continue reading Aliens in America's Raja joins Nip/Tuck

Writers of CSI and Two and a Half Men switch shows, create crossover from hell

William Petersen and Charlie SheenI can't believe this is actually happening. I've told you before how much I hate cross-overs on TV; it's tolerable if it's at least the same genre of show. This is like in-breeding. If CSI and Two And a Half Men were brother and sister, then their deformed, incestual love-child is what's going to air on Monday, May 5th.

We actually reported on this almost a year ago, that the writers of CSI and Two And a Half Men were going to flip-flop and pen an episode of the other show. Well it never happened. Now, according to this press release, it's a go. I would imagine that the Writer's Strike played a role in resuscitating this awkward match-up.

Continue reading Writers of CSI and Two and a Half Men switch shows, create crossover from hell

Six greatest Love Boat mysteries

The Love Boat logoSince we had so much fun examining the greatest mysteries of Cheers, I've decided to make this a quasi-regular feature. The next classic show to come under scrutiny is The Love Boat, the 1977 - 1986 Aaron Spelling series that involved water, Mexican paradises, and everyone from David Hasselhoff to George Burns getting busy on the Lido deck.

I used to watch the show just about every Saturday night, especially during its early years (it was a big event when Julie went from her bowl cut to the feathered look... I think it coincided with my very first months of pre-puberty). At the time, I just took the show at face value, but as the years have gone on, aspects of life on the Pacific Princess made me scratch my head, starting with a fact of life that just about everyone took for granted:

Continue reading Six greatest Love Boat mysteries

Bill Maher - making friends again - VIDEO

Bill Maher and the PopeBill Maher has never really been one to take the easy road. He could have been a nice safe comedian, getting the occasional movie role, guesting on a sitcom here and there, keeping his more controversial opinions private. But for whatever reason, he chose to tell the world exactly what he thinks. And he's been fortunate enough to keep finding broadcast partners that will let him do just that. I say, more power to Bill.

Of course, not everyone agrees with me. Bill's recent comments comparing the Catholic Church to the polygamist compound in Texas has a whole lot of Catholic panties in a bunch. So much so that there is now a site with the goal of getting him fired, the aptly titled Fire Bill Maher. It's not nearly as fun as God Hates Shrimp. They would like everyone to cancel HBO until Bill is fired. I really wanted to join in, but there are just too many boobs on HBO. And like my grandma always said, "Always side with the boobs." Video of Bill's allegedly offensive remarks after the jump.

[via bumpshack ]

Continue reading Bill Maher - making friends again - VIDEO

Tim Allen's scary Internet avatar

The very scary Avatar from Timallen.comA few weeks ago, while doing some research on stand-up comedians who became sitcom stars, I ended up Googling a whole bunch of names to get some additional pre-television history on them. One of these was Home Improvement's Tim Allen. While looking up Tim's information I came upon a listing for his personal website. It was a weird listing though -- something like Tim Allen -- T'Avatar. Well, since I know Tim's not a Romulan, I thought this was just an abbreviation of something. Needless to say I clicked in.

Turns out, T'Avatar was short for Tim Allen's Avatar, which appears in an opening video to his website. Folks, this Avatar freaks the living piss out of me.

Continue reading Tim Allen's scary Internet avatar

Colbert, Clinton, Obama and Edwards take on Philadelphia - VIDEOS

Candidates
What in the hell happened last night on The Colbert Report? Or perhaps I'm really wondering why I attended Monday's taping of TCR in Philadelphia and not the final and certainly most epic one.

In true Colbert fashion, TCR ended its four-night run in the City of Brotherly Love with a big ol' Democratic bang. Thanks to Chris Matthews' big mouth, the nation expected Hillary Clinton's "surprise" appearance, but little did we know both Barack Obama and John Edwards would be appearing as well... On the same night! Despite the fact that this was all a blatantly desperate attempt to get a little Colbert Bump action (Edwards knows it's too late, right? I mean, what with him dropping out of the race and all), there really is no better way to seem hip to that all-important youth vote.

Gallery: Colbert, Clinton, Obama and Edwards

The Colbert Report 4/17The Colbert Report 4/17The Colbert Report 4/17The Colbert Report 4/17The Colbert Report 4/17

Continue reading Colbert, Clinton, Obama and Edwards take on Philadelphia - VIDEOS

The Colbert Report in Philadelphia: Annie's adventure - VIDEOS

Colbert Report ticket
Back on the night that Stephen Colbert announced that he'd be hitting Philadelphia, taking the show on the road for the first time, I had decided to go to bed early and just catch the rerun in the morning. My friend called me just as I began to doze off and immediately told me that she had gotten tickets for us to see Colbert in Philadelphia. I had no idea what the hell she was talking about, so when I hung up, I just shrugged it off as a late-night half-dream. The next morning, I watched the episode and it finally made sense: We were about to go on another Colbert Report adventure.

Gallery: The Colbert Report in Philadelphia

The Colbert Report in PhiladelphiaThe Colbert Report in PhiladelphiaThe Colbert Report in PhiladelphiaThe Colbert Report in PhiladelphiaThe Colbert Report in Philadelphia

Continue reading The Colbert Report in Philadelphia: Annie's adventure - VIDEOS

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