Glee cast struts their stuff on Oprah
09 Apr 2010 Leave a Comment
in Interviews, TV Comedy, Television/TV Tags: Glee, Jane Lynch, Music, Oprah, Television
This past Wednesday, the cast of Glee were honored guests on The Oprah Show. Ms. Winfrey jumped on the “Gleek” bandwagon and dedicated the whole hour to cast interviews, a musical number and some behind the scenes goodness…
Glee cast struts their stuff on Oprah
Posted using ShareThis
Glee and Modern Family score with Peabody Awards
31 Mar 2010 Leave a Comment
in Awards, Peabody, TV Comedy, Television/TV Tags: HBO, Glee, Jane Lynch, Modern Family, Peabody Awards, Ryan Murphy
The 2010 Peabody Awards recipients were announced today. Glee and Modern Family are among a list of both entertainment and news programming recognized for achievement and service in electronic media (radio, TV, cable)…
Glee and Modern Family score with Peabody Awards
Posted using ShareThis
Actress Betty White is ‘Hot’
16 Mar 2010 2 Comments
in Comedy, Movies, TV Comedy, Television/TV Tags: Betty White, Comedy, Golden Girls, Movies, Sandra Bullock, Saturday Night Live, Sitcoms, Television, TV Land
Most actresses today complain that once you reach a certain age, your Hollywood status dries up. That isn’t always the case and veteran actress Betty White can attest to that…
Posted using ShareThis
Campaigns Do Come True For Betty White
11 Mar 2010 3 Comments
in Celebrities, TV Comedy, Television/TV Tags: Betty White, Lorne Michaels, Saturday Night Live, Television
After a massive online campaign to get her on TV, executive producer Lorne Michaels has announced that Betty White will host Saturday Night Live on May 8!
The episode will also feature a slew of returning female cast members as well! Whoever said that you can’t accomplish something after working hard. White will make her SNL debut at the age of 88.
Mark your calendars now!!
Introducing Jimmy Kimmel And The Handsome Men’s Club
08 Mar 2010 2 Comments
in Celebrities, Comedy, Movies, TV Comedy, Television/TV Tags: ABC, Ben Affleck, Handsome Men's Club, Jennifer Garner, Jimmy Kimmel, Movies, Patrick Dempsey, Robert Pattinson, Television, Tony Romo
Premiering last night after the Oscars, Jimmy Kimmel introduced the world to a secret society known as, HMC: Handsome Men’s Club.
Kimmel, host of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, is famous for his hysterical videos such as “I’m F*cking Matt Damon” and the followup, “I’m F*cking Ben Affleck.” He took his affinity for having celebrities making fun of themselves to a whole new level. He included TV and movie actors, athletes and musicians in his latest work of comedic art.
The ”members” of HMC are: John Krasinski, Tony Romo, Keith Urban, Taye Diggs, Josh Hartnett, Gilles Marini, Matthew McConaughey, Ted Danson, Lenny Kravitz, Ethan “Handsome” Hawke, Patrick Dempsey, Rob Lowe, Sting, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
The video begins with the group deciding whether to admit three new members. First, Kimmel shows pictures of Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson. Every HMC member votes that they should be inducted, but Kimmel, who is the President, overrules them saying that they aren’t handsome yet, only “cute.” Liev Schrieber was also voted in and again overruled because of having red in his beard.
The group is fed up with Kimmel’s antics and decide to remove him from the group for not being “handsome.” After leaving, the story jumps to Kimmel in bed, having had what appears to be a very bad dream. He is laying next to Affleck relaying his dream, when the camera pans to Jennifer Garner, who is on the other side of Kimmel in bed. All she says is, “…it’s getting embarrassing.”
Kimmel did a great job with this video piece. It was funny, creative and who doesn’t love to watch actors not take themselves so seriously. Krasinkski wins points as having “filled the quota for cute.”
Check this out, you won’t be disappointed.
Comedy’s Most Wanted
02 Mar 2010 Leave a Comment
in Comedy, TV Comedy, Television/TV Tags: 30 Rock, ABC, CBS, Comedy, Modern Family, NBC, Sitcoms, Television, The Office
Comedy on TV has been sparse at best for the last five or six years. That is all changing now and comedy is becoming one of the most sought after forms of programming again.
Throughout television history, there have always been sitcom classics that are never far from the mind. I Love Lucy, All in the Family, The Cosby Show, Seinfeld and Friends are some of the most popular TV comedies of all time. CBS seemed to be the only network willing to bet on comedies for the last few years with any success. Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory have cult followings in addition to bringing in the ratings for the juggernaut that has become CBS. Sure, NBC continues to stand behind its historical Thursday night comedy block, but The Office and 30 Rock, while critic favorites, don’t come close to the numbers of viewers that the CBS comedies are bringing in.
The 2009-2010 television season has seen more successful comedies than have been around for a long time; probably since Friends ended in 2004. ABC has jumped back into the funny pool and finds itself with three breakout hits. The Middle and Cougar Town received early pickups for a second season and are building a fan base. The most popular of ABC’s Wednesday night comedies is Modern Family.
Modern Family has rejuvenated the concept of family sitcoms. From the first episode, the show has been firing on all cylinders. The writing is outstanding and the cast couldn’t be more perfect. The creators of ‘Family’ brought in old faves, such as Married with Children’s Ed O’Neil and Ed’s Julie Bowen. They also hit the jackpot with a variety of relative newcomers such as Sofia Vergara, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Ty Burrell. Even these three actors have had some success in Hollywood, but Modern Family’s success has shot them into an entirely different realm of popularity.
Some critics said that family sitcoms were dead. ABC’s newest hits prove that they are not dead, but evolving into a new age of comedy.
Late Night Love
28 Feb 2010 Leave a Comment
in Celebrities, Comedy, Movies, TV Comedy, Television/TV Tags: Comedy, Jimmy Fallon, Late Night, Lorne Michaels, Movies, Saturday Night Live, Television
While the recent late night battles took place, Jimmy Fallon remained loyal to NBC and to his friendships with both of the men involved in said battles: Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien. Fallon is an upstanding guy and he will be celebrating Late Night’s one year anniversary on Monday March 1.
I’ve been a fan of Fallon’s since his popular Saturday Night Live days. He always reminded me of the young, drunk college buddy, reminiscent of the Adam Sandler days of SNL. His success on SNL lead him to what he hoped to be a promising movie career. That didn’t work out so well for him – anyone remember Taxi?
Lorne Michaels, executive producer of both SNL and Late Night, saw something in Fallon and it could easily be said that Michaels has been Fallon’s guardian angel.
I remember Fallon’s first show and it was kind of painful. He was so nervous, rightfully so, with his first guest being none other than Robert De Niro. He was visibly sweating in the opening monologue and he was kind of spastic while interviewing De Niro. His first audience participation game was the fan favorite, “Lick It For 10.” That was enough to guess what kind of show he wanted to make.
I’m not the biggest fan of “Lick It…” but he has definitely made Late Night his own now. His house band is The Roots. The Roots! They bring such an added comedic presence to the show. Fallon has nailed his parody programming such as, “The Real Housewives of Late Night,” “Late,” and “6-Bee.” I’ll admit my favorite bit he does is, “Friday Night Thank You Notes.” It’s funny and the jokes are usually spot on.
He has so much fun with his guests; my favorite being when he plays charades with them. He commonly refers to his guests as “buddy,” and I just find that so endearing. He laughs at himself all the time and it reminds me of all those times he’d lose it during a sketch on SNL.
I DVR Fallon every night and I’ve been going through some withdrawals since he’s been on hiatus during the Olympics. I was lucky enough to get a sample of his ‘Thank You Notes’ during the late night coverage this past Friday. Fallon made an appearance and it was a nice surprise. I look forward to new episodes beginning Monday March 1.
Fallon may not be the best comedian or the perfect late night host, but his humor and desire to have a good time, make him a must watch. I’ve said this to people before, but if I’m ever having a down day, all I have to do is watch Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and I can guarantee I won’t feel so bad anymore.
Coco Has Risen…Again
25 Feb 2010 2 Comments
in Comedy, TV Comedy, Television/TV Tags: Coco, Comedy, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Televison, The Tonight Show, Tom Hanks, Twitter
It’s been about a month now since Conan O’Brien bid a not so fond farewell to his 7+ months as host of The Tonight Show. There has been much made about what he will do next. Will he go to FOX, will he go to cable?
O’Brien definitely can afford to take his time making that decision after receiving a reported $30-40 million as a going away present. A few days ago a rumor started that he might be ready to start working again. The talk has nothing to do with running a late night program…yet, but with heading out on a comedy tour. That’s actually probably a very good plan for O’Brien.
I think that Coco, as he was affectionately named by Tom Hanks, is ready to get his name back out there. Just yesterday O’Brien signed up for Twitter. As of today, he has only written two tweets, but as amassed a whopping 348,000 + followers. The entertainment world was a buzz with the news of his joining the tweeting community.
As Jay Leno gets ready to head back to the show made famous by Johnny Carson on March 1, I think Coco is ready to start making his way back. Only this time it will be on his terms.
How To Pick A Good SNL Host
24 Feb 2010 2 Comments
in Celebrities, Movies, Random Thoughts & Questions, TV Comedy, Television/TV Tags: Hosts, Jon Hamm, Michael Buble, Movies, Robert Pattinson, RPattz, SNL, Taylor Swift, The Hangover, TV, Zach Galifianakis
Saturday Night Live has been having a rough season so far. Out of the 14 or so celebs that have hosted this season, there are only two that have been very good.
Taylor Swift and Jon Hamm each brought an energy and excitement to the show that has been missing otherwise. Swift’s monologue was original and set the tone for a great show. Hamm’s hosting duties were fun and whenever you can incorporate the musical guest in a way that works, is even better. Hamm and Michael Bublé’s restaurant skit about “Hamm & Bublé” was funny from top to bottom. The play on Bublés last name, pronouncing it like bubbly, was genius.
Aside from those few hits, there have been a huge range of misses. Nothing better explains that than January Jones’ appearance. Her monologue was painful to watch. I honestly felt bad for her, because she was that bad. I can’t imagine the thoughts going through the minds of the cast that week. Drew Barrymore, normally a riot, was not good TV either.
There is such a range of comedic and non-comedic talent out there. A few weeks ago they had Ashton Kutcher on again (fourth time hosting, I think). I like Kutcher, but how about something fresh and new. Jennifer Lopez is hosting this Saturday and is doubling as the musical guest. I already had a few apprehensions about this choice, but now she has parted ways with her record label. Where will that leave her with song choice? Are we going to hear a hit from the late ’90′s?
On March 6, I will definitely be tuning in. They got it right with this choice of host: Zach Galifianakis. He is one of the newest comedy go-to guys out there right now. After the success of The Hangover, he is a perfect choice. The following week’s host will be Jude Law. I’m not sure how I feel about that. The last time I remember him hosting was when the debacle known as the ‘Ashlee Simpson incident” occurred.
I want to see exciting hosts. There had been lots of talk of SNL trying to get Robert Pattinson earlier this season, but who do we get instead? Taylor Lautner. I would rather of waited for the day they got RPattz, then settling for Lautner. There are so many good comedies on TV right now, how about trying to score someone from The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother or Modern Family.
The choices don’t always have to be obvious either. Sometimes the funnier hosts are the ones without a specific comedy background. Personally, I think it wouldn’t hurt the cast to expand a bit either. The cast is so small now and is filled with the same people in sketch after sketch. Plus, you can’t tell me there aren’t more talented women in this country for Lorne Michaels to find. How about making even one of them a regular and not just a feature player. Kristen Wiig is probably not only burnt out, but viewers are burnt out on her.
This year is celebrating 35 years of SNL. It would be great to see them act like they are trying to promote the milestone with better shows.
Laughing With Ricky Gervais
20 Feb 2010 Leave a Comment
in TV Comedy, Television/TV Tags: animation, HBO, Ricky Gervais
If I could bottle Ricky Gervais’ laugh and unleash it a little bit any time I was down, I would be okay with not feeling so great all the time. His laugh is contagious and always brings a smile to my face.
He premiered a brand new animated show on HBO last night, “The Ricky Gervais Show.” Gervais along with two friends, who also happen to be co-workers, made podcasts and have turned them into an animated program.
The conversations are always odd, but the oddness is what makes them funny. One of the men is Gervais’ producer and he is constantly telling stories of things he believes in, that aren’t real. Some topics are things he wishes would happen and some are random stories he says he’s heard.
Gervais and his co-writer pal are constantly giving the other guy a hard time about what he’s saying. Gervais is brash and loud and I loved the silly animation that accompanied the stories.
