TVSquad

(S05E07) This episode brought back many things that fans of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia have already come to know and love: nearly aggressive patriotism, needless shirtnessness, songs sung in falsetto and, of course, Rickety Cricket. I would like to also submit that the Birds of War get-up (pictured above) would be perfect for this Halloween, especially if you're desperate for few high-fives or silent nods of approval. It covers a wide range, as it appeals to both Always Sunny fans and people who like America and/or chickens. I mean, eagles.

If you haven't seen our game before, we give you a picture from a recent episode of a TV series and you provide the caption!

Last week's winner is Fred with this caption for the picture on the right from CBS' There Goes The Neighborhood:

"Man, we're really gonna get hosed on this one."

This week's picture is from the recent episode of USA's Monday Night RAW where Jeremy Piven guest starred for some reason.

b. Jeffrey Donovan

c. Dule Hill

d. Jeff Goldblum

e. Anthony Bourdain

The answer.

OK, I actually loved watching the latest version of American Gladiators on NBC, but even I think this is a weird idea. But it's actually happening. American Gladiators: The Movie is in the works, according to show creator Johnny Ferraro.

Ferraro says American Gladiators was originally conceived as a film more than 20 years ago, but instead became a "TV phenomenon." I'm not sure how a game show that's basically WWE Smackdown meets Double Dare was originally conceived as a film, but what do I know. I like to watch American Gladiators.

In a move that has me shaking my head, Freddy Prinze, Jr. will be working behind the scenes at World Wrestling Entertainment for both their television product and pay-per-views. I recognize that wrestling is a big industry and Freddy's movie career hasn't been exactly stellar as of late (I'm sure he's done movies, but none I've heard of), but wrestling?

"Bringing on board an experienced Hollywood writer, actor and producer like Freddie Prinze Jr. will only increase the level of entertainment to millions of viewers and passionate WWE fans every Monday on USA," said Chris McCumber, Executive Vice President Marketing Digital and Brand Strategy at USA Network.

I always get antsy when companies start to go beyond their niche. I mean, does Dunkin' Donuts really have to start selling pizza and sandwiches too?

The Sci-Fi Channel is expanding beyond the worlds of Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek, and sci-fi in general. We've already seen wrestling on the network, and the execs at the network say that more stuff like that is coming. Sci-Fi Channel GM Dave Howe says that the definition of the network is "What if?" As in "What if The Sci-Fi Channel made a bunch of really shitty made for television movies?" This "What If" slogan also includes movies like Field of Dreams. Execs are even thinking about changing the name of the channel.

Needless to say, many science fiction fans aren't happy with this, including members of The Science Fiction Writers of America. TV fans are already upset for TV Land airing more and more reality shows and movies, and now this. What's next? TCM airing cooking shows and auto racing?

Wrestling fans can breathe a sigh of relief today: you'll still get your Friday fix of power drives and folded chair smashing.

MyNetwork (aka "the network no one is quite sure they have on their local cable system or not") has won the rights to air Friday Night Smackdown. The show had been on The CW (and before that UPN - remember those days?) since 1999, but the rights ran out on January 31.

Never fear all you wrestlemaniacs. While WWE has abandoned renegotiations with The CW to bring Smackdown back to the network, it has announced that it is already in negotiations with other networks to carry the long-running Friday night staple. Smackdown has delivered solid ratings for The CW (and UPN before it) since 1999, but has at times been an awkward fit for the demographics and perception the network has wanted to put out there.

(S04E10) In one of the classiest moves in Project Runway history, the designers faced the challenge of creating outfits for the WWE Raw Divas to wear in the ring. When I heard the angry grunts and sounds of lady-violence behind the door, I thought they were going to face roller derby girls or something. The Divas were cool anyway, offering the designers a chance to get really crazy and maybe a little sleazy.

The designers seemed rather horrified when they saw their new clients, which was quite amusing, but not as amusing as the reactions (or lack thereof, save for Tim Gunn's polite chuckle) to the sex kitten ripping open her robe. I couldn't stop myself from mumbling, "Your goods have no power here, sweetheart."

By the way, the Blockbuster Total Access placement was real subtle, Bravo. Maybe next time they should have Tim pop in to share an exclusive coupon code.

The Hulkster's soon-to-be-ex is accusing him of trying to pull a fast one on her. Linda Hogan has requested that the judge freeze Hulk Hogan's (real name: Terry Bollea) assets to prevent him from spending the proceeds from the sale of the couple's ten million dollar mansion. She goes further to claim that Terry is trying to dupe her out of other assets from "legal shenanigans".

Hogan is best known as the professional wrestling icon of the 80's. The couple appeared together on the VH1 reality television series Hogan Knows Best. Hulk Hogan can currently be seen on television hosting NBC's American Gladiators.

Well there are two words you don't see in the same sentence that often, "CNN and "WWE."

Last week, CNN aired a special investigative special about pro wrestling titled Death Grip. At one point during the show, wrestling star John Cena is interviewed. The WWE claims the interview was edited, and now they've posted the proof on their site. Not only were CNN's cameras rolling during the interview, but so were the WWE's, from a different angle. The interviewer asks Cena if he's ever used steroids, and he answers "absolutely not," but in the CNN version that immediate denial isn't heard. All you hear is the rest of Cena's answer, which makes his answer sound vague. The Baltimore Sun has a good take on the controversy.

No word from CNN yet.

TMZ is reporting that WWE wrestler Chris Benoit is suspected of killing his wife and 7-year old son before committing suicide. Benoit and his family were found dead in their Atlanta home on Monday afternoon, the same day he was supposed to appear in a "memorial" episode for Vince McMahon's WWE character. TMZ reports that Atlanta police suspect Benoit strangled his wife on Saturday and then smothered his son in bed the next day. Benoit was apparently text messaging friends as he watched Vengeance, a WWE Pay-Per-View program, on Sunday.

I do not watch wrestling, but everything I read says he was very popular among fans. His signature move was the "Crippler Crossface". WWE quickly changed up its programming last night so it did not focus on the "death" of McMahon's character. McMahon made a brief statement to fans about the tragedy, saying Benoit was "one of the greatest WWE superstars of all time."

*UPDATE: Atlanta PD says Benoit killed his wife on Friday, his son on Saturday, and hanged himself (possibly) on Sunday. Sick.

The weekly basic cable ratings, by number of viewers.

1. NBA All-Star Game (TNT)
2. NBA All-Star Tip-Off (TNT)
3. NBA All-Star Sat Night (TNT)
4. SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon)
5. Fairly Odd Parents (Nickelodeon)
6. SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon)
7. Fairly Odd Parents (Nickelodeon)
8. WWE Thursday RAW (USA)
9. Ned Declassified (Nickelodeon)
10. Fairly Odd Parents (Nickelodeon)

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper, one of the most charismatic characters on televised wrestling in the 1980s, has been diagnosed with lymphoma. Up until two weeks ago, Piper, 52, was touring Europe with World Wrestling Entertainment, but then he returned to Canada to have a doctor check out discomfort in his back. It turns out, he has a cancerous tumor on a disc on his spine. He'll begin treatment immediately, with the support of his wife and four children. Piper told a Canadian newspaper that he's determined to defeat the cancer.

Piper shared the wrestling spotlight with Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan in the 1980s, starring in the first of the Wrestlemania events. He even co-starred in a Saturday morning cartoon with fellow wrestlers. Piper's real name is Roderick George Toombs, but he chose Roddy Piper as his wrestling alter-ego, complete with bagpipe and Scottish "rage".

[Via Pop Candy]

Related:
Bob & Harvey Weinstein + WWE = WTF?
Drug tests for WWE wrestlers

Bob and Harvey Weinstein, formerly of Miramax fame, have just signed a deal with the World Wrestling Entertainment to distribute all of the WWE's home video library, which includes past, current, and future releases. Plus, the deal opens up the possibility of theatrically releasing WWE videos, and provides them with a ring full of star material. Bob Weinstein told Variety, "Some of these guys are natural-born talents."

That's about when my head exploded. Have Bob and Harvey lost it? Or are they pure and total geniuses? Their Weinstein Company owns a majority stake Genius Products, who signed the WWE deal, which pushes me into the "lost it" camp. Don't call your company "I'm Smarter Than You Are Productions, Inc." unless you are itching for a smackdown. And here I swore I'd get through this post without saying "smackdown," dammit.