(S07E29) Well, this is what you've all been waiting for, right? What's that? Finale? Yeah, I guess that'll be cool, too. But if you've listened to Ryan all season then you know TONIGHT is really what it's all about! If you're looking to find out who got eliminated by vote last night you're going to have to wait until tomorrow. But if you're looking for two-and-a-half hours of entertainment chock full of celebrities and song and charity, then you're looking for "Idol Gives Back."
Last year's inaugural edition was very good, and Kristin's report of the Idol Gives Back taping from this past Sunday was also very positive. We don't have any pesky (non) eliminations to deal with like last year, so just kick back, donate and enjoy. And, if you want, join us online and chat about it in real-time with other giving Idol fans.
You can join the chat starting just before 7:30/6:30pm CDT by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.
Have you noticed lately that the new faces cropping up on TV series in starring roles are often actors you've never seen before -- or if you have, it was in a supporting role of a feature or a foreign TV show? Think about it, Lee Pace as the Pie Man on Pushing Daisies, Jonny Lee Miller on Eli Stone, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in New Amsterdam, Michelle Ryan in Bionic Woman, all of these leads are relatively new faces. That's one way to cast series. Another is for big stars to take to TV, if not for the first time, than for a return.
In an interesting article at IGN.com, blogger Travis Fickett points out that there used to be a line of demarcation between the worlds of acting: film actors vs. television actors. But nowadays the stars are going back and forth a lot more fluidly.
It seems that Billy Crystal's life of rafting down the Mississippi, white-washing fences, fighting knights in Medieval times, piloting riverboats and getting lost in caves has finally garnered him the award he deserves: the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Seriously, though, Bill Crystal is receiving the Mark Twain Prize in a ceremony to be broadcast on PBS October 11. Other folks who have received the Mark Twain Prize include Richard Pryor, Lily Tomlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Simon and Steve Martin.
Welcome to TV Squad Lists (formerly 'The Five'), a feature where each blogger has a chance to list his or her own rundown of things in television that stand out from the rest, both good and bad.
No matter how much TV I watch, I can't seem to get over the first rule of television programming; if it doesn't get the numbers, it doesn't get renewed. I have watched many a beloved show get yanked from the schedule due to low ratings, even though critics and fans alike all raved about it.
Here are some examples of shows that were too good for the small screen.
Pasadena The potential for greatness was here, sadly Fox didn't promote the show and nobody watched. I was lucky enough to watch the entire season on and finally get answers to some really nagging questions.I also got see favorites like Mark Valley & Dana Delaney really chew the scenery.
The Bob Newhart Show (the variety show on NBC) This show won a Peabody award, but was clearly ahead of its time. It's pretty hard to find these days, but Tv icons like Ken Berry and Joe Flynn were regulars and the comedy was superb.
I thought Jon Stewart did a fine job as Oscar host, but I can understand them wanting to go with a more "traditional" choice. And with Ellen, I think the mainstream people get someone who they can enjoy (her daytime talk show is a hit) and the people who want their humor a little more wiseass will get their way too (people forget Ellen can be quite clever).
In this interview with TV Guide, DeGeneres promises not to suck, and also says that she's not going to copy what people in the past have done. Meaning, she's not going to put on the dance shows and dance a la Billy Crystal. She does say that it's going to be a little more fun and casual than most years.
And her favorite Oscars host was Johnny Carson, so that's a good sign.
Last week's Comic Relief telethon raised $4 million for victims of Hurricane Katrina. It aired simultaneously on TBS, HBO and AOL. Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal headlined the Comic Relief telecasts of the 1980s to raise money and awareness about homelessness. The original Comic Relief stage shows raised about $50 million.
Did anybody watch Comic Relief on November 18th? I caught a little bit of it but had to turn it off because A) Robin Williams is no longer funny, and B) Dane Cook isn't funny either. I was actually more interested in the on-location stories about the current situation in New Orleans than the performances by a long list of guest comedians.
Why in the hell did a comedy competition that started on October 11 get posted on Turner Network's press page just today? That's twelve kinds of messed up, that's what that is, Maynard. Well anyway, TBS and MySpace have this online challenge going where they're asking unknown comedians to submit videos to the "Stand Up Or Sit Down Comedy Challenge" through the competition's MySpace page. Right now you can vote on the fifteen comics who remains, and the top five will appear on TBS, November 17 at 10 pm, in a special hosted by George Lopez. The following night, during TBS's simulcast of Comic Relief, a winner will be announced and given a development deal plus $50,000.
Speaking of Comic Relief, is anyone looking forward to it? I have to say, the comedy powers of Williams, Goldberg and Crystal just don't quite work on me like they did when I was much younger and couldn't change the channel because the knob was broken and the vice grips my father placed on the TV were too cumbersome for me to get a hold of.
Comic Relief launched 20 years ago to raise awareness and funds for the homeless. It went off the air eight years ago but, according to The Hollywood Reporter, it is making a comeback this year to benefit the still-suffering victims of Hurricane Katrina. Traditional Comic Relief headliners Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal plan to lighten the mood during a benefit performance that will broadcast simultaneously on TBS, HBO and AOL on November 18th. Previous performances raised $50 million for the homeless cause. This time, the benefactors of the fundraising will be children and animals.
Our good friends over at Cinematical are reporting that the
Oscars, rejected by everyone from Chris Rock (well, to be fair,
he wasn't actually asked to host) to Billy Crystal (too busy) to Steve Martin and Whoopi Goldberg, may finally have a
real live host....The Daily
Show's Jon Stewart! Okay, it hasn't actually technically been confirmed yet, but we knew you'd be as excited as we
are to hear this rumor, and since it was started by the LA Times "The
Envelope", it has some cred. This is even better than getting William Shatner to
host! Stewart, with his political snarkiness and awesome comedic timing, is the perfect choice to host the
Oscars (and I don't say that just because he's my secret TV boyfriend, either). Now for the real question -- will he
work in Steven Colbert interviewing Oscar nominees? Oh please oh please oh please!
(S07E29) Well, this is what you've all been waiting for, right? What's that? Finale? Yeah, I guess that'll be cool, too. But if you've listened to Ryan all season then you know TONIGHT is really what it's all about! If you're looking to find out who got eliminated by vote last night you're going to have to wait until tomorrow. But if you're looking for two-and-a-half hours of entertainment chock full of celebrities and song and charity, then you're looking for "Idol Gives Back." 
Have you noticed lately that the new faces cropping up on TV series in starring roles are often actors you've never seen before -- or if you have, it was in a supporting role of a feature or a foreign TV show? Think about it, Lee Pace as the Pie Man on Pushing Daisies, Jonny Lee Miller on Eli Stone, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in New Amsterdam, Michelle Ryan in Bionic Woman, all of these leads are relatively new faces. That's one way to cast series. Another is for big stars to take to TV, if not for the first time, than for a return.
It seems that Billy Crystal's life of rafting down the Mississippi, white-washing fences, fighting knights in Medieval times, piloting riverboats and getting lost in caves has finally 
Welcome to TV Squad Lists (formerly 'The Five'), a feature where each blogger has a chance to list his or her own rundown of things in television that stand out from the rest, both good and bad.
I thought Jon Stewart did a fine job as Oscar host, but I can understand them wanting to go with a more "traditional" choice. And with Ellen, I think the mainstream people get someone who they can enjoy (her daytime talk show is a hit) and the people who want their humor a little more wiseass will get their way too (people forget Ellen can be quite clever).
Last week's Comic Relief telethon raised $4 million for victims of Hurricane Katrina. It aired simultaneously on TBS, HBO and AOL. Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal headlined the Comic Relief telecasts of the 1980s to raise money and awareness about homelessness. The original Comic Relief stage shows raised about $50 million.
At 8, ABC has college football, California at USC.
Why in the hell did a comedy competition that started on October 11 get posted on Turner Network's press page just today? That's twelve kinds of messed up, that's what that is, Maynard. Well anyway, TBS and MySpace have this online challenge going where they're asking unknown comedians to submit videos to the "Stand Up Or Sit Down Comedy Challenge" through the competition's 
Comic Relief launched 20 years ago to raise awareness and funds for the homeless. It went off the air eight years ago but, according to 
Our good friends over at Cinematical are reporting that the
Oscars, rejected by everyone from 
Celebrate the 4th by watching television!
Stargate Atlantis season five - An early look
Saving Grace season two: An early look
