(S35E02) After that Jenny Slate f-bomb nonsense and Megan Fox's not terribly original hot girl material from the season premiere, it was exciting to see a really solid episode (and a star-studded one, at that). Ryan Reynolds did a fantastic job as host (snaps for his wavering voice during the porcelain fountains sketch and accent in SYTYCD), though he didn't have any major stand-out roles. Did I miss the memo that Lady Gaga wasn't just musical guest but co-host as well? Such a role is normally left up to Ryan Reynolds' giant biceps.
It's been a while since we've seen such consistently enjoyable writing in an episode. Usually, there's a distinct lull during the course of the 90 minutes, but I didn't feel it this time. Hopefully, this is a good indication of the rest of the season.
Didn't Madonna make her mark in New York City years ago? Then how did she not ever have a slice of New York City pizza? Last night she told Dave about that, so he ordered one for her (she doesn't like cheese - that figures). They also touched on A-Rod, her previous appearances, and why she'd rather be hit by a train than get married again.
She's still an idiot, but she really looks great. Here are highlights from the interview.
I think we can all agree that the infamous Andy Kaufman/Jerry Lawler incident on the old Late Night with David Letterman show (where Kaufman and Lawler got into an argument and then a punch was thrown) was staged. But when it comes to another infamous incident from the show, where Crispin Glover demonstrated his kicking technique next to Letterman's head? I think that was weird and real.
The Glover interview is on Cracked's Letterman's most hilariously awkward moments list. Most of them are actually from his current CBS show. Only two of them (Glover and cartoonist Harvey Pekar) are from the old NBC show. Other awkward interviews listed (with videos) include Madonna, John McCain, and Michael Richards (with special awkward cohort, Jerry Seinfeld!).
There's a difference between cheap, tawdry publicity stunts that are (pop) culturally significant and those that are just, well, cheap and tawdry. An example of the former is Madonna's infamous VMA performance from 2003 in which she performed and locked lips with not only Christina Aguilera, but Britney Spears as well. An example of the latter would be basically anything involving Katy Perry.
if you've walked past a TV, into a retail store or gotten into a car this summer, chances are you've heard Katy Perry's single, "I Kissed a Girl." There's an even bigger chance that if you just read that sentence, "I Kissed a Girl" is now going to be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Perry is performing that song during this year's VMA telecast on September 7th, and if you haven't already guessed, she's looking for a girl to kiss.
Christopher Ciccone, Madonna's super-classy brother who recently penned a tell-all about growing up with the infamous pop star, has set his sights on the reality TV world. Luckily for Madonna, the proposed show has nothing to do with her. Despite previous reports that claimed his reality show would be an extension of his upcoming book, Life With My Sister, the untitled project is said to instead be a design show.
Ciccone is no stranger to the world of design, having contributed to various condos and restaurants, not to mention his big sis' New York apartment. He even appeared on an episode of Top Chef: Miami as part of a restaurant design challenge.
You talkin' about my hair? Well, all right -- What is that? A swim cap?
One of the greatest all-time moments of my senior year of high school was watching David Letterman completely dismantle Madonna. She came on with the idea that she was going to set the agenda and really give Dave the business; I guess the sycophantic dancers in Madonna's pre-show prayer circle told her that she was really funny. Anyway, if you remember, she went toe to toe with the big guy and, to quote a phrase, she awoke a sleeping giant.
Letterman's cultural cache might be waning a bit -- he was beaten by Nightline in the ratings recently -- but his wit is still with him. Further, as the following clip with hair-product enthusiast Spencer Pratt will show, he can still seethe with barely controlled rage at our culture's propensity to elevate idiots to places of prominence. The video after the jump...
All the fuss is over one tiny, little scene where Carl tells Homer that Peron was a military dictator and, "When he disappeared you, you stayed disappeared." The statement is just a set-up for a joke from Lenny, who says, "Of course, his wife was Madonna." Referring to Madonna's role as Eva Peron in Evita.
Here's the problem: Peron wasn't a brutal dictator. It was the regime after Peron that was blamed for the disappearance of 30,000 Argentinians.
So, this is what half a million dollars pays for during the Super Bowl, huh? A 30-second commercial about three hair icons (not to be confused with America's Next Hair Icon): Madonna, Shakira and Marilyn Monroe. Nothing really spectacular, just some pop art images of those three with background music sung by each of them.
I'm trying to figure out who this commercial was targeted for. Obviously, they were aiming for all of the women who are watching the Super Bowl. But, with all of the testosterone flowing in these other commercials it seems like this ad got lost in the crowd. Plus, how many guys really know who Shakira is (other when there friends show them how hot she is). Frankly, Sunsilk's commercial money could have been used better elsewhere.
They really should release this show on DVD. As Adam noted before, it really is quite amazing how clever and ahead of its time it was, and equally amazing the caliber of talent that worked on the show in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
After the jump are several videos of Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert on The Dana Carvey Show. They've gone their separate ways, but if you include their work here and on The Daily Show and as Ace and Gary on Saturday Night Live, they could have been the next great comedy team. And then they would have gotten sick of each other and broken up and not spoken for 20 years and then reunited by Jon Stewart on a telethon.
Before you start throwing rotten tomatoes, please hear me out. I'm not saying I think Sanjaya should win this thing. Not even close. Those of you who've read my recaps, know I'm not a fan of Sanjaya.
But as much as I've disliked his performances, I'm actually going to defend Sanjaya. Mostly, because I feel sorry for him. He's a young kid thrown in the deep end of the pool, and sometimes he looks like he's drowning in front of 33 million viewers. The judges, critics, and viewers have been really, really cruel. And I'm not a fan of big bullies (ahem, Simon) who beat up on the younger, weaker kids just for sport.
I'm reminding readers for two reasons. One, it's an important milestone for David Letterman. His guests tonight will be Bill Murray (who was on his very first NBC and CBS shows) and basketball player LeBron James. And two, The Late Show With David Letterman has been in repeats this week (and the end of last week), so some people might assume that tonight and tomorrow are repeat episodes too. But they're brand-spanking new.
The NY Daily News lists their Top 10 David Letterman moments, and they include Madonna's expletive-filled appearance, Sonny and Cher getting back together, and Oprah finally coming on the show. And if you're feeling nostalgic for his old NBC show, YouTube has some clips.
At 8, ABC has a new Ugly Betty, followed by new episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Men In Trees.
CBS has a new Survivor at 8, then repeats of CSI and Shark.
NBC has new episodes of My Name Is Earl, The Office, Scrubs, 30 Rock, and ER.
There's a new Til Death on FOX at 8, then a repeat ep, then a new ep of The O.C.
The CW has a repeat Smallville at 8, followed by a repeat Supernatural.
ABC Family has Santa Claus: The Movie at 8.
It's cookie night on Food Network: Emeril has some "Holiday Cookie Contest" winners, then you can see All Star Holiday Cookies and Winning Holiday Cookies.
Also at 8: Bravo has that Madonna concert that aired on NBC a few weeks ago.
At 9, HGTV has Divine Design Christmas.
Robert Urich stars in the holiday movie Miracle on the 17th Green, on Lifetime at 9.
Hallmark has the movie Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus at 9, followed by The Night They Saved Christmas.
(S01E08) This show has so many great moments and is so confident in its candy-colored, postmodern style that you can almost overlook the shortcomings of its less than stellar episodes. I should qualify that comment by saying that Ugly Betty's "less than stellar" is akin to any other show's "home run." The bar's just that high, dreamgirls.
Ugly Betty is a hybrid - part "center and eccentrics" dramedy with America Ferrera as its heart and part telenovela. Most of the criticisms I read about the show revolve around the series being too much telenovela and not enough Betty or vice versa. I've got no problem with the hybrid form, but it does lay at the heart at what I thought was this episode's weakness - balance.
I think we can all agree that the infamous Andy Kaufman/Jerry Lawler incident on the old Late Night with David Letterman show (where Kaufman and Lawler got into an argument and then a punch was thrown) was staged. But when it comes to another infamous incident from the show, where Crispin Glover demonstrated his kicking technique next to Letterman's head? I think that was weird and real.
There's a difference between cheap, tawdry publicity stunts that are (pop) culturally significant and those that are just, well, cheap and tawdry. An example of the former is Madonna's infamous VMA performance from 2003 in which she performed and locked lips with not only Christina Aguilera, but Britney Spears as well. An example of the latter would be basically anything involving Katy Perry.
Christopher Ciccone, Madonna's super-classy brother who recently penned a tell-all about growing up with the infamous pop star, has set his sights on the reality TV world. Luckily for Madonna, the proposed show has nothing to do with her. Despite previous reports that claimed his reality show would be an extension of his upcoming book, Life With My Sister, the untitled project is said to instead be a design show.
You talkin' about my hair? Well, all right -- What is that? A swim cap?
Here's just another example of how Americans suck at world history. An episode of The Simpsons has upset some folks in Argentina because it takes a shot at beloved former president Juan Peron. The episode already aired in the U.S. (number 10 this season) and is about to air in Argentina.
They really should release this show on DVD. As Adam noted before, it really is quite amazing how clever and ahead of its time it was, and equally amazing the caliber of talent that worked on the show in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Before you start throwing rotten tomatoes, please hear me out. I'm not saying I think Sanjaya should win this thing. Not even close. Those of you who've read my recaps, know I'm not a fan of Sanjaya. 
I'm reminding readers for two reasons. One, it's an important milestone for David Letterman. His guests tonight will be Bill Murray (who was on his very first NBC and CBS shows) and basketball player LeBron James. And two, The Late Show With David Letterman has been in repeats this week (and the end of last week), so some people might assume that tonight and tomorrow are repeat episodes too. But they're brand-spanking new.
At 8, ABC has a new Ugly Betty, followed by new episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Men In Trees. 
(S01E08) This show has so many great moments and is so confident in its candy-colored, postmodern style that you can almost overlook the shortcomings of its less than stellar episodes. I should qualify that comment by saying that Ugly Betty's "less than stellar" is akin to any other show's "home run." The bar's just that high, dreamgirls.
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