Lost

Lost
Originally uploaded by duckydale.

Okay, if they keep up the midair chaos before crashing each week, it's possible I will never set foot on a plane again. Those are some harsh scenes. Tonight we were privey to two flashbacks which in one case turned around my expectations... this show is on top of its game. I know, I know... its JJ Abrams, of course it is. I know that. I just now know there is definitely a bigger picture in store for this amazing show.
Tonight we learned many things:
1. That the prisoner is not the crazy blonde man with the gun, it is in fact the sexy and haunting KATE! I cannot wait for her mystery to unfold each week.
2. They were on their way from Australia to somewhere (I'm assuming the US) when the plane went down.
3. The little boy's mother died and his father is really in the picture for the first time.
4. Hot Ian Someralder is the brother of the hysteric in pink.
5. If a fat man passes out on your face while you are also unconscious, you will not suffocate.
6. Polar Bears somehow are on this island.
7. Not all men named Siad are terrorists regardless of what most white men believe.

I just think that the premise of this show is incredible. I'm not talking the "beast/supernatural" aspect, i am talking the reinvent yourself on this island aspect of it. Its a time to start a new, but we, the voyeur are lucky enough to learn both sides of their personas.

Degrassi: 35,32,30,14,14,14,13,13,12...

"Jay & Alex" from Degrassi
Originally uploaded by duckydale.

That's the age breakdown of the average person attending The N's Degrassi Mall Tour this past Saturday. There was Jon (35), Lil Jenn (32), myself (30) and about 2000 tween and pre-tweens gathered to gawk and lather in Degrassi Mania! For weeks now, we've been geaering up for the stars of Degrassi descending on the Natick Mall. The day before the meet and greet, we realized that the "stars" were not really the "STARS" of Degrassi, but two secondary characters, Jay and Alex. Jay is a scummy no good loser that has been bringing Sean down week after week as they steal and continue to be ugly. Alex is a bitchy semi-scumbag that Emma (oh glorious Emma, why couldnt it have been you at the Mall) kneed in the face last season before slamming her into the lockers face first. She is an evil little girl that will apparently play a larger role this coming season (which kicks off Oct. 1). Case in point, behold how she speaks to Marco (one of Degrassi's resident homos): "Hey gay kid!"
Yeah, she's not the nicest. I will tell you this though, both she and he looked much better in person. He is about a foot shorter than I thought and cleans up really well. She is hot business. I am talking, needs to be a central character because she is too hot not to be... HOT! Here is a pic.

Instant Replayification

Okay so the coolest thing about my DVR (and tivo) is the "Instant Replay" button. Last night I laughed so hard at Survivor that I hit that replay button 4 times. It was when they were doing their rewards challenge and everyone was blindfolded...
Twila is walking with another girl (both blindfolded) and Twila is telling the other girl to keep her hands out and feel her way so that she doesnt run into anything, then BAM! Twila (without her hands out feeling her way and her own advise) slams nose first into a wooden post. It couldn't have been more perfect if they wrote it, it was GENIUS!

"Keep your hands out so you dont run into anything" BAM POW SLAM WHAMO!

REPLAY

"Keep your hands out so you dont run into anything" BAM POW SLAM WHAMO!

REPLAY

"Keep your hands out so you dont run into anything" BAM POW SLAM WHAMO!

REPLAY

"Keep your hands out so you dont run into anything" BAM POW SLAM WHAMO!

Oh, I'm still laughing...

Lost - Pilot Pt. 1

One of the most compelling hours of television since the premiere of Alias in 2001. Oh, and what a coincidence that Lost is made by the same man that brought us the last great pilot of the new millennium� JJ Abrams. It starts so isolated and quiet and serene only to be quickly turned into a chaotic and torturous rescue mission for our reluctant leader, Jack (Matthew Foxf rom Party of Five). Without a commercial break until 8:22pm, the opening of Lost was not only thrilling and compelling, it was rife with emotions. There was so much sadness and despair in all of the survivors, but the Emmy goes to Fox for his mesmerizing retelling of how he controls fear as Kate, a beguiling female survivor uses a needle and thread to sew his skin back together.

It�s great to see Sean/Weiss get skinned by whatever that creature is stalking the survivors. I love him, dead or alive.

The flashbacks will be a great character development tool as this is the only way to see who these people are and were before the crash. And um, could those plane scenes be scarier? I mean, I fly like once a year and that�s with my friend Prince Valium this show doesn�t help that cause.

Holy Anne Heche Miranda

Apparently when Sex and the City star, Cynthia Nixon left her spouse over a year ago, she shacked up Ellen style with a woman that she now claims to have been in a commited relationship with for a year now. Celestia, what?

C&C Evil Factory

Ew, here is the devil(s)... I think her teeth are like Ross white. Maybe he punched out all of her real teeth. And a sheep called, he wants his wool back, much?


Ahh... Phil!


These are from someone that went to the TARCon5 event in NYC last night. When my friend Matt gets his posted, I will link to them.

Amazing Race 5

Congrats to Chip and his non-existent wfe Kim for winning Amazing Race 5! I am sooooooo happy that neither those damn christians nor anger management and abused won! Colin and Christie rot in hell.

Big Brother 5 "Oh Fuck"

So, once Nakomis was booted, all I hoped was that skunkface would not win this game. She is gross and has gained like 20 pounds since the show started in July. Last night we finally watched Friday's live HOH and Eviction! It was a great hour made even better by the following:
- Diane's surprise eviction
- CBS's slip in not bleeping Cowboy's "Oh Fuck" after Diane walked out the door. He was walking to the kitchen island counter and he said through a veil of tears... "Oh Fuck". Whoops CBS! I hope Howard Stern caught on to that and began a campaign to have CBS fined for indecency.

Tonight's finale... I dont really care who wins... I just want to see how the jury reacts to the final two and I cant wait to see skunkface pout her way through what I am sure will be a staged "I am over confident" presence to Drew her boyfriend that gave her the boot!!!!

In 1 day I will be LOST

I was watching my DVR'd Emmy's and had the glory to "replay" the numerous LOST ads over and over again. Seriously, I am psychotic about the premier of this show and those ads sent me over the top with excitement. They are haunting, exciting, and exhilarating. I cannot wait until 8pm Wednesday...

Amazing Race 5

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Why, Why Phil Why did you have to say those words? Who is it lucky for that Colin & Christie are still in this race? Yes, them, but not us... we the viewers hate them. Do you really want those two in the race? She told the cab driver that his fellow Manilians didn't matter and to "hit them" while in the middle of the road. Is that who you really want possibly winning this damn race? It's the Amazing Race, not Death Race 2000.

Colin said it right tonight... "I HATE YOU" and Colin, honey... I do.

An Amazing Encounter...

So, last Saturday Jon and I went to down to the wharf area because the city was having an arts event called �AHTS� (pronounced as �arts� with a Bahston accent). So, we are walking around checking out the aht and I notice a big chested and broad shouldered dark-haired man that looks familiar. I can�t place him until behind him running comes a red head that I instantly recognize as Kelly from Amazing Race 4. It was Kelly and Jon. They were my favorites last season� damn that they didn�t win, damn!

Jon got bulkier, not fat, muscular as hell. Kelly looked cute as can be. She always reminded me of my sister-in-law Laura.

3.5 hours and counting...

So it's only a few short hours before dimples is on my screen in the season premiere of EVERWOOD! I don't know which episode Crazy Heche shows up in, but I cannot wait for that either. I love me some teen drama.

What will come of Ephram and Madison's love child? What will come of Ephram and Amy's relationship? When will Bright come out of the closet (wishful thinking)?

My New Obsession...

...is with LESBIANS! You heard me, Lesbians! And what straight red blooded American male isn't? Okay, so I'm not straight but I am still completely obsessed with lesbians.
Since Jon and I now have a couple months of free Showtime courtesy of whatever technician at Comcast fucked with us a couple weeks ago, we've been watching ON DEMAND episodes of The L Word.
I know, I know. You are thinking, god how trivial... that other gay show (Queer as Folk) is horribly acted, written and stereotypical if not self-involved. Okay, so now think of the opposite and you have The L Word.
Incredibly well written and acted, this lesbian romp is more marketable drama than it is gay themed. The pilot episode is very touching and slight in it's boldness. There is some sex shown but it is not the focus of this show. The focus of this show is the relationships, the friendships, and the bond created and sometimes needed in a minority community.
Eric Mabius is hot business as the only male lead of the show and he unfortunatly is straight and by episode 4 engaged to a possible lesbian (Mia Kirshner that I've loved since Love & Human Remains in 93 to the assassin of President Palmer in 24). Flashdance herself, Jennifer Beals is a mess of a character, but there is true emotional depth to her committed relationship. My two favorites are the actual lesbian and former Murmur bandmate, Leisa Hailey (also in All Over Me, a great indie from the mid-90s) and the actress that play's Jennifer Beals' lover, Tina.
I will not be pleased when I lose my Showtime a couple months down the road. Damn.

Six Feet Under - Untitled

�Everyday above ground is a good one� Six Feet Under�s motto this season finally came to fruition. I was not so sure that it was true as the weeks went on and on. In what was a great season in terms of character development, sibling relations, and storyline we saw two stand out episodes:
David�s carjacking episode changed his character�s life forever and was a welcomed change of pace for the relatively serial and formulaic drama. Dedicating 2/3 of the episode to the torture and mayhem involved in his carjacking, SFU took a risk that paid off. It mastered emotional meltdown and was a showcase for Michael C. Hall to finally shine as David. Some bitched because it the episode focused too much on David and this one event but it�s a gutsy episode and tonal shift that was much needed in this, their 4th season.
The finale last night was the second best episode all season. It was emotional and came full circle with a number of storylines and plot holes while creating this space for growth and safety (albeit until next season). The motto holds true for almost all of the characters in one way or another�
For George, when he lost his mind he went underground. I am so glad I do not have the survivalist mentality and/or visions of an ex-wife or mother telling him it�s all coming to an end. Poor Ruth, that woman had no idea what she was getting herself into. Shit presents on her doorstep, partial separation, and now mental breakdowns. George has pushed this woman to no end and I am dying to see what they do with her next season.
For David, he is finally free of his torturous demon. When we weren�t sure if he could bring himself out of his fear and pity slump, he did. Man that carjacker is on mental holiday. He is so charming in his naivety, which is why I was so worried that David would cave in and apologize to him. And of course, his father told him to appreciate how much living there is in life and how little pain we all suffer in comparison. It was a very sweet and profound moment.
For Nate, well, once he crawled out from under Lisa�s drama he was able to see the light and appreciate his new family and the possibilities of moving on (finally). In a wickedly disturbing plot twist, Wednesday Addams gave Nate a picture of Lisa on the day of her death, proving someone was with her and that she possibly did not commit suicide. He confronts Wednesday about where the picture came and she suggests that Nate speak with her father. This girl remains the creepiest thing on television. So, we find out that not only was her father there with Lisa when she died, but that he had been having an affair with her for years and that Lisa met him this one last time to say NO MORE! And hence she was� no more. We are still unclear as to whether he killed her or not, but my bet is yes. We may never know as the jackass blew his head off in front of Nate and his wife. If Wednesday wasn�t a morbid mess before, wait til next season.

Now, the others are unclear as to their happiness and togetherness.
Claire is enjoying success and artistic freedom but she�s also now snorting coke, smoking pot 24/7, and sleeping with her photography teacher. So, is she really any better off?
Rico and Vanessa had a reconciliation which was a stellar scene for the actress that plays Vanessa, but in the end Rico will soon be divorced and is living in Claire Fisher�s old bedroom.

In the end, all I can really say is that this season was sad, at times hysterical, and in the end profound. I love it.

Thursday 9.9.04

Big Brother 5
It was a sad night as poor weepy and weak Karen got double crossed and ended up in Julie Chen's shouldered arms. Karen was broken by the time she left that house, I mean visibly shaken and emotionally shattered. I am pretty sure she forgot this was a game. All I have to say is that Nakomis is screwed unless she and her dimwit brother somehow pull off the alliance of the century. There is hope... Here are the situations of who is on the block courtesy of Drew (not considering veto):
Nakomis v. Diane: I would hope that Nakomis and her brother would stick together. I think they would because Cowboy is so into having a sister and a father that he wouldnt jeopardize that, knowing how emotional he plays this game. So, I think Cowboy would drop kick Diane and her skunk head.
Nakomis v. Cowboy: Diane pinky-sweared to Nakomis to never vote her out. I think she would stick to that after last night's episode when she spent forever justifying her removal of Karen (I never pinky-sweared to her...").

The Apprentice 2
This show is all about Carolyn and George. I am in love with them. She is looking hot and more powerful. George is stoic as usual but interjected some moments of humanity and humor throughout the 90 minute show. I have to say that the power of DVR was in my grasp last night as I didnt start watching The Apprentice until 9:10 and by 9:45 I had caught up LIVE! That was cool but also annoying because I then had to wait for the last commercial break. The days of Chuck Woolery and his "two and two" are history thanks to digital technology. My thoughts on some of the contestants? It's going to be an ugly and bitchy season, let it begin! Best moment of the night was when Atilla was in the focus group and she commented on that kids hair... GENIUS! But then, the even more brilliant part is when Carolyn ("Thats Hot")calls Atilla out on it in the boardroom. Meow!

Joey
Is it wrong that I liked everyone but Joey on a show called Joey? Drea was great as his ballsy codependent sister with the boob job. And that nephew was great! I even like the neighbor girl Alex (which was good recasting because I cannot see the original girl being as charasmatic) and her iffy-married status. Please writers of the show, DO NOT HOOK THEM UP! I appreciate that they thouched on pilot season in Hollywood. Seemed like it touched home with those writers a little too much. I'll let it ride for a while and see if they improve on the character Joey or not. Hell, keep the rest of the cast, lose LaBlanc.

Degrassi High

Yes, the original Degrassi series, not TNG (which as you know I am obsessed with as well). Jon and I are making our way back through the Degrassi Jr. High and Degrassi High tapes. Yes, VCR tapes. I know, right? 8Track much?

In the premiere of the High series, one of the twins, Erika had an abortion. Her summer fling left her with something more than vomit to flush if you get my drift. Regardless, someone at Degrassi has started tormenting her. Writing "Murderer" on her locker. Leaving fliers of dead babies around school. Writing in lipstick on the bathroom mirror "Erika Farrell is a baby killer". Oh, its serious! This bitch ain't kidding.
Needless to say, Erika was tha-roo with that. She came out of class to find punk rock teen ms. taping another flier to her locker and it was CATFIGHT! Meow! Loved it. She didn't break down like, "Oh god, everyone will hate me... poor me, I had an abortion..." SHE WAS LIKE GET OUT THE VASOLINE AND "HERE, TAKE MY EARRINGS, WE'RE GONNA TUSSEL!". A great moment. Genius if you're askin' and I know you are.

If you are in the Greater Boston area and in need of the original series on 8-track like VHS, go to Cinemasmith on Harvard Ave. in Brookline. They have Season 1 of Jr. High and all of the High Series.

Big Brother 5

Damn that skunk streaked Diane and her wishy washy ways. Damn her to hell. I know that she didn't just weasel her way into getting Nakomis out of this house next week. The Three Stooges are going to make it to the finals and none of them deserves to win. Since week 2 this game has belonged to Nakomis and she deserves to win, hands down. She may not be pretty, but she can play a game like no other. I am not counting her out yet though. There is still hope in my heart that somehow Cowboy will be evicted this Thursday. HE HAS TO BE! I'm not saying I like Karen, but I do like Nakomis. So if Karen goes, it's Nakomis that say's "cool beans" for the last time next week.

Bare Shouldered Julie Chen, were are your stupid twists this week... when we need them?

Amazing Race 5 9.7.04

Colin & Christi oh how I hate you, let me count the ways...

1. Colin, you're an asshole
2. Colin, you're abusive
3. Colin, you did a backflip and I dont care for that
4. Colin, you made rock n roll hands after getting out of that sphere and a date raping cock jock has no right
5. Colin, in the preview for next week you tell Christie "I hate you"
6. Christie, you let yourself be abused
7. Christie, you were once a beauty queen
8. Christie, you think you are getting a backbone but you're not. Let's hope you dont go down like Nicole Brown Simpson
9. Christie, you're face is too long and you are already starting to look like a well cooked chicken with that taught neck skin
10. YOU BOTH KEEP WINNING AND ARE RUNNING THE BEST RACE!

And was anyone else having Teletubbies flashbacks when they were riding that big ball down the hill? It looked exactly like the Teletubbies set. And wasn't it like being birthed when they had to get out of that ball?

DVR Update

So the dvr was finally installed on Saturday morning at 9am. As you can imagine I was not a happy camper. At 7pm, noone showed up. At 7:15pm I called screaming again that now 2 appointments were blown by them and the guy is like give it til 8:30 someone is definitely coming. AT 8:30? Yeah right. 8:35pm I call again, so through with the whole process. At that point I had been dealing with Comcast since 3:15pm. Over 5 hours of either yelling or waiting was getting to me. This time I made sure someone was scheduled first thing. He said between 8 and 12. I didnt pay enough attention until I hung up and realized that's a 4 hour window. NO!

I call back again and get a supervisor on the horn. He takes 5 minutes to read over all the calls in their system and guarantees me someone will be there at 8am prompt. So needless to say, 8am flies by, 8:30 flies by. 8:35am, the tech calls he will be there in a couple minutes. 2 guys show up and do this tandum install that takes all of 5 minutes and they are out the door. Fine by me I had a haircut at 10.

We get back to the house at 12:45 and there is a message from a Comcast tech saying he is downstairs and needs to get in to install the box. This is 12:30. He says, you had a 8 to 12 window for an appointment, it's 12:30 where are you?

Two things here:
1. It's past 12 when the appointment should have happened. Where were you?
2. Already installed, communicate at Comcast much?

So about 5 minutes later a woman from Comcast calls saying that a tech has been trying to contact us to install. Jon tells her that someone already came. "Oh"

Needless to say... The dvr is not the same as Tivo but it's great fun and will eventually be just like Tivo. As of now, it can record live tv, I can pause, rewind, ff, go live again, etc. It also will record any show you tell it to by time. It currently is not linked by title but that is coming. It will only get smarter as it rolls out more. With luck in the next couple months, this will be as smart as Tivo. I'll keep you posted.

To cap it all off, I got $20 taken off the bill, free installalation and free Showtime for a couple months! And with luck someone got fired because they missed 2 appointments and lied. Oh, I forgot to tell you that someone told the supervisor I spoke to last that we wouldnt let him in when he came for the second appointment on Friday night. Yeah right, I would have carried that tech up the stairs myself to get that thing installed. Fuckers.

It's like 24, but not... Live Comcast SCREAMING

The following takes place on the day my non-Tivo Tivo service is installed.
4:01pm
I am currently on hold on my 3rd call to Comcast. At this moment light jazz is not soothing me, its making me more crazed. I am on hold for a supervisor.

At 3pm a technician showed up to install our new DVR service. He brought the same box we already have which is hello, useless. He said the order did not state that it was for the new DVR box. The truck downstairs does not have any on it either.

3:15pm when I get home. 1st call is placed.
The woman tells me that the order indeed does state its for a DVR box.

3:20pm I'm on hold, but she comes back to tell me that someone will be out tonight by 7pm to install the DVR box.

3:50pm, call from technician saying he cannot come out tonight because there is no DVR box on his truck. We battle over a time he can get here in the morning. Earliest is when I have a hair appointment and Jon has a eye appointment. I'll call him back.

3:52pm I am screaming at a Sales Rep. from Comcast. He agrees this is crap and that someone has to come out tonight. He says he will contact a supervisor.

4:06 he's come back numerous times telling me his supervisor is on another call and he apologizes. No problem. Oh, I am livid right now. I dont know if the tech is trying to get out early or what? I mean, come on... drive to a fucking warehouse and get me my damn order. I mean, Jon left work early to make sure he was home for the appointment. HOLD ON HE's BACK...

4:09 Roger is back to tell me that someone, he doesnt know if its the tech that already came out or if its another tech, but someone will be there by 7pm with a box from the warehouse.

4:11 he apologizes up and down for the inconvenience and acknowledges that the DVR boxes just came out this week and that not everyone has installed them, and that he is sure not everyone has them on their trucks but that its their job to make sure they check their orders for the day... yadda yadda yadda.

4:12 he offers me any free premium channels for 2 months. I take Showtime so I can watch Dead Like Me. This guy rocks!

kerplunk kerplunk kerplunk

Hillary Duff = The Devil (yes I know its on both blogs)

So I had this whole conversation with a client today about Hillary Duff. She said that she was going with her granddaughter to the Hillary Duff concert tonight in Anaheim and that she was so excited because she loves Hillary Duff. I said it sounded like sheer hell to me. So for the next 20 minutes (no joking) we debated the good v. evil of Hillary Duff.

I said she was talentless and thankless (for demanding more money from Disney). She said she�s a great actress and a good singer. I told her that I wished Hillary Duff died. She laughed and said that was not nice. I said I am more of a Amanda Bynes/Lindsay Lohan kinda guy. She said they were slutty and that Lohan got a boob job but refuses to admit it. I said I respected a tween starlet turned tart and that at least neither of them dissed their meal ticket because they thought the they were bigger than Lizzie McGuire. She said that she respected the fact that Hillary Duff in her many videos and behind the scene tapes has said publicly that she doesn�t want to wear low cut and revealing clothes so that she remains a good role model for girls everywhere. I said that was because she�s fat, flat chested, and has tree trunks for thighs.

It got ugly for a minute then we agreed to disagree. I told her I wanted my Root Beer Lip Smackers back and my friendship bracelet. We�re taking a break�