duckyxdale

8/31/2006

Fox's JUSTICE - Series Premiere

I've got to tell you I was a little skeptical coming into last night's premiere of Fox's Justice and there are a couple reasons behind my skepticism.

First, it's Fox and their last premiere was/is a little weak, no? Don't get me wrong, I'm getting more and more into Vanished as it's moving forward but you have to admit that there is a strong cheese factor associated with it which limits its ability to be a great show. Seriously, the lines poor Ming Na gets stuck with... wow! Seriously awful.

Second, do we really need another procedural drama on television?

Third, Kerr Smith has far from proven he can headline a show. Sure he was fine as the gay Jack McPhee but he was never great. He was always better than let's say... noone playing that role.

Fourth, why does that main girl look like Lori Singer? Everybody Cut Loose, Footloose! Who the hell is she? It's bugging me already...

So, it's the morning after and I honestly can't think of much more to say than I really enjoyed it (don't usually hear that phrase in conjunction with "morning after" do ya?). I thought watching Victor Garber play this smarmy media whore of a defense attorney was incredibly wild and refreshing after his very stoic role on Alias. I appreciate his manic and selfish quest for fame (possibly even justice) at any cost. You know he had a field day researching that role. The Dominic Dunne comments were genius, for a second I thought we might actually get to see a guest turn. Maybe in Season 2 if it lasts that long.

Kerr Smith was great I have to admit. Though, seriously with the manorexia? He's a shell of what Jack McPhee once was (not that I'm complaining as he looks incredible!)... He's the great centered and semi-moral one in the gang of four. A perfect yang to Victor Garber's ying. He's young, he's hungry, yet he still has a sense of decency left in him. The scene during Day 5 of Jury Deliberations cinched it for me. This was Kerr's finest moment. He almost cried because he was so emotionally invested in winning. His character cares that much. It was really sweet to see actually. Kerr commanded respect on the screen and he pulled it off. Our Lil Jack McPhee All Grows Up!

Lori Singer she is not, but she is an actress named Rebecca Mader and I at the moment worship her. Something about how she held her own with Victor Garber, that nutty professor, and how she realized that the patio umbrella was missing made me enjoy her talents. Her likening the manipulation of a witness to whipping a boyfriend into shape was an extra added character bonus. I hope to see more of her.

Said, the head Muslim from Oz, is a little iffy in my opinion. I'm not quite sure what to make of his character yet. He's very cock-sure but we didn't get to see much of him in action so I'm eager to see what he pulls out in the weeks to come.

Can we talk the guest stars for a second. One that I love and one that I'd like to slap silly. First the love; Matt Ross who played the Prosecuter. He's a great bit player in both film and television. He was one of Bateman's collegues in American Psycho, he was in Last Days of Disco, Down With Love, and Good Night and Good Luck. For TV, he was on Six Feet Under briefly, and most recently was on Big Love. He's a great actor and I hope he returns. Now the not so much love... for Katharine LaNasa who played the Nancy Grace-ish TV Journalist. I guess she's fine as an actress but that speech impedement has always rubbed me the wrong way. I went the a taping of one of the first episodes of Three Sisters back in 2001 and geesh did it bother me. She's super cute though, does that make up for it? I think her role can grow on me, I really do. I had a blast watching her and Garber go at it numerous times and seriously, if she's trying to be a Nancy Grace, this can only lead to juicy things.

The storyline was very basic procedural; the motives are quickly laid out; the evidence is quickly referenced; and we lapse some major time in that one hour premiere but it never felt rushed or expositional. Getting to see the mentality behind jury selection and the lenghts power attorney's will go to secure a vicotry were also enlightening.

The best part of the show in my opinion is the ending. I love that each week we will get to see what really happened in the crime we've seen just tried. This week it just so happened that the defendant was innocent and they were right in their suspicions that this death was an accident. I cannot wait for the weeks where they defend a guilty man, get him off and then get to witness that in fact the defendent is guilty. Or even better when an innocent man is convicted for a crime he/she did not commit! It's an interesting twist on the boring old procedural and one that I think works well.

Justice is a show I will come back to... and if I'm not mistaken there will be a good chunk of the season I won't need to miss because when Lost premieres, Justice should be hitting it's baseball hiatus. When it comes back Lost will be finished with most of it's first 9 episode mini-season leaving another gap as to not bog me down. Yippers.

Veronica Mars Season 3 Premiere... A WEEK EARLY!

Great news Neptune fans, we can catch the season premiere of Veronica Mars a week early! Veronica will kick off her College years online beginning September 29th on MSN! Let's just hope she gets to kick some ass as well!

Does anyone know if Veronica's
helped Steven yet? Has Shannen Doherty gotten to Sally, his supposed girlfriend yet? Breaking up is hard to do. Is there any chance that Sally is the same girl Felicity talked to all the time?

Oh yeah and new series Runaway will premiere online on

Sept. 18th and Everybody Hates Chris on the 24th.

8/30/2006

Veronica Mars Scoop (plus The Office)











It's Wednesday and for all of us TV freaks its a great day, similar to Xmas... It's Ask Ausiello day where we learn all the goodies for our favorite shows. This week is no exception. From Emmy gossip, to Lost casting news, to season premiere death's this week's column has it all! Including the following Veronica Mars scoop.

Question: You looked absolutely awesome on the red carpet for the Emmys. I saw you in the background of the E! preshow. Now, after that shameless intro, I was hoping to score some Veronica Mars scoop. — Erin
Ausiello: And Veronica Mars scoop you shall receive. I asked Rob Thomas whether Piz, the new hottie in Veronica's life this season, will pose a serious threat for LoVe. "I think Veronica and Logan's struggles are going to have little to do with Piz. They're two pretty intense characters on their own, and I think most of their issues are going to be with each other. I don't want to play some traditional thing where Piz is insinuating himself into the relationship, or attempting to break them up, or doing anything other than being a nice guy who happens to be around Veronica a lot, due largely to proximity, but they also get entangled in a couple of cases together. Logan should just be worried about Logan." Piz, meanwhile, is "from a suburb of Portland, Oregon. With all the sort of brooding, rich bad boys we've had on our show, he's sort of the antithesis of that. He's much more a Lloyd Dobler, frenetic kid with a lot of words in his mouth, and a very similar middle-class background as Veronica. So he should have a real different energy than, say, Troy or Logan." BTW, check out my column in this week's issue of TV Guide to get your first look at Piz (aka up-and-comer Chris Lowell) on Mars. If you're straight and female or gay and male, I think you'll be pleased with what you see.


Question: Any chance we'll see Aaron Ashmore (Troy) back on Veronica Mars? — Becca
Ausiello: As Rob Thomas reminds us, "He kinda got another job on us." That job, of course, would be playing Jimmy Olsen on
Smallville. Still, Rob says, "We thought about bringing Troy back quite a bit, and if we could ever work out a guest-star [thing], we wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on that. But we felt like we had just put Veronica together with a lot of similar boys. If there did develop another love interest for her, we kind of want him to come from a different place." Like, say, a suburb of Portland, Oregon?


And over at The Office...

Question: Can you give me anything on The Office? — Tommy D.
Ausiello: Ricky Gervais, a nominee for
Extras, gave me some exclusive details about the episode he's penning this season. "It's Michael desperately trying to be PC, as usual, and failing miserably. And Jim and Pam send Dwight on a wild-goose chase. They [send him off on an] investigation, and there's a very, very embarrassing moment." Gervais also hinted that there's a "little bit" of a development in the Jim-Pam saga. "It was great writing it. And the strange thing was, I wasn't thinking of [the original British characters] David Brent and Tim and Dawn. I was thinking of Michael Scott and Jim and Pam. We wrote for them. Even though we sort of acted it out, which is how we do stuff, we were totally writing for the American version. I think it's great, by the way. I genuinely think it's great. And we can't wait for it to be syndicated. I'm very excited about the money, even though after taxes we'll be lucky to clear $100 million." Gervais dispelled reports that the British cast would show up at Dunder-Mifflin this season. "That wasn't true," he insists. "That's not true. One of the British tabs probably [started that]." You also shouldn't hold your breath for a revival of the original. "Absolutely not," he huffed. "Because when [the American version] gets syndicated, I'm not going to work again. I'm just going to eat pizza."

8/29/2006

Fall Season Premiere Dates (All Shows)


So, here's a handy dandy little guide for when all of the shows premiere this season (and a little into winter)...

Premieres by date:
Prison Break (Fox) Aug. 21
Vanished (Fox) Aug. 21
Two-A-Days (MTV) Aug. 23
Real Time With Bill Maher (HBO) Aug. 25
Celebrity Duets (Fox) Aug. 29
Million Dollar Listing (Bravo) Aug. 29
Bones (Fox) Aug. 30
Justice (Fox) Aug. 30
Desire (MyNet) Sept. 4
Fashion House (MyNet) Sept. 4
Juvies (MTV) Sept. 4
House (Fox) Sept. 5
Nip/Tuck (FX) Sept. 5
Standoff (Fox) Sept. 5
‘Til Death (Fox) Sept. 7
Happy Hour (Fox) Sept. 7
Nanny 911 (Fox) Sept. 8
20/20 (ABC) Sept. 8
Cops (Fox) Sept. 9
America’s Most Wanted (Fox) Sept. 9
American Dad (Fox) Sept. 10
Def Comedy Jam (HBO) Sept. 10
Family Guy (Fox) Sept. 10
Simpsons (Fox) Sept. 10
War at Home (Fox) Sept. 10
Wire (HBO) Sept. 10
Dancing With The Stars (ABC) Sept. 12
Men in Trees (ABC) Sept. 12
Survivor (CBS) Sept. 14
The Underground (Sho) Sept. 14
MI:5 (A&E) Sept. 15
Amazing Race (CBS) Sept. 17
Talk Show With Spike Feresten (Fox) Sept. 17
Class (CBS) Sept. 18
CSI: Miami (CBS) Sept. 18
Deal or No Deal (NBC) Sept. 18
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) Sept. 18
New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) Sept. 18
Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip (NBC) Sept. 18
Two and a Half Men (CBS) Sept. 18
Wife Swap (ABC) Sept. 18
Boston Legal (ABC) Sept. 19
Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC) Sept. 19
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) Sept. 19
NCIS (CBS) Sept. 19
Smith (CBS) Sept. 19
Unit (CBS) Sept. 19
America’s Next Top Model (CW) Sept. 20
Biggest Loser (NBC) Sept. 20
Criminal Minds (CBS) Sept. 20
CSI: New York (CBS) Sept. 20
Jericho (CBS) Sept. 20
Kidnapped (NBC) Sept. 20
CSI (CBS) Sept. 21
ER (NBC) Sept. 21
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) Sept. 21
My Name is Earl (NBC) Sept. 21
Office (NBC) Sept. 21
Shark (CBS) Sept. 21
Six Degrees (ABC) Sept. 21
Close to Home (CBS) Sept. 22
Ghost Whisperer (CBS) Sept. 22
Law & Order (NBC) Sept. 22
Numb3rs (CBS) Sept. 22
WWE Smackdown (CW) Sept. 22
Dateline (NBC) Sept. 23
48 Hours Mystery (CBS) Sept. 23
Brothers & Sisters (ABC) Sept. 24
Cold Case (CBS) Sept. 24
Desperate Housewives (ABC) Sept. 24
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) Sept. 24
60 Minutes (CBS) Sept. 24
Without A Trace Sept. 24
Heroes (NBC) Sept. 25
Runaway (CW) Sept. 25
7th Heaven (CW) Sept. 25
Gilmore Girls (CW) Sept. 26
Help Me Help You (ABC) Sept. 26
One Tree Hill (CW) Sept. 27
Smallville (CW) Sept. 28
Supernatural (CW) Sept. 28
TNA Impact! (Spike) Sept. 28
Ugly Betty (ABC) Sept. 28
Doctor Who (SciFi) Sept. 29
All Of Us (CW) Oct. 1
America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC) Oct. 1
Campus Ladies (Oxy) Oct. 1
Dexter (Sho) Oct. 1
Everybody Hates Chris (CW) Oct. 1
Game (CW) Oct. 1
Girlfriends (CW) Oct. 1
Bachelor (ABC) Oct. 2
House of Carters (E!) Oct. 2
Friday Night Lights (NBC) Oct. 3
Veronica Mars (CW) Oct. 3
Freak Show (CC) Oct. 4
Lost (ABC) Oct. 4
Nine (ABC) Oct. 4
South Park (CC) Oct. 4
20 Good Years (NBC) Oct. 4
Drawn Together (CC) Oct. 5
Battlestar Galactica (SciFi) Oct. 6
Trading Spouses (Fox) Oct. 6
Bridezillas (WE) Oct. 8
What About Brian (ABC) Oct. 9
I Pity The Fool! (TVLand) Oct. 11
30 Rock (NBC) Oct. 11
Ice T’s Rap School (VH1) Oct. 17
Knights of Prosperity (ABC) Oct. 17
Crossing Jordan (NBC) Oct. 20
Las Vegas (NBC) Oct. 20
Breaking Bonaduce (VH1) Oct. 22
Hogan Knows Best (VH1) Oct. 22
The OC (Fox) Nov. 2
Day Break (ABC) Nov. 15
King of the Hill (Fox) Dec. 3
Art of Betrayal (MyNet) Dec. 4
Supernanny (ABC) Dec. 4
Watch Over Me (MyNet) Dec. 4
According To Jim (ABC) Dec. 6
George Lopez (ABC) Dec. 6
Rome (HBO) Jan. 7
24 (Fox) Jan. 7
The Shield (FX) Jan. 9
American Idol (Fox) Jan. 16

Premieres by alphabet:
According To Jim (ABC) Dec. 6
All Of Us (CW) Oct. 1
Amazing Race (CBS) Sept. 17
America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC) Oct. 1
America’s Most Wanted (Fox) Sept. 9
America’s Next Top Model (CW) Sept. 20
American Dad (Fox) Sept. 10
American Idol (Fox) Jan. 16
Art of Betrayal (MyNet) Dec. 4
Bachelor (ABC) Oct. 2
Battlestar Galactica (SciFi) Oct. 6
Biggest Loser (NBC) Sept. 20
Bones (Fox) Aug. 30
Boston Legal (ABC) Sept. 19
Breaking Bonaduce (VH1) Oct. 22
Bridezillas (WE) Oct. 8
Brothers & Sisters (ABC) Sept. 24
Campus Ladies (Oxy) Oct. 1
Celebrity Duets (Fox) Aug. 29
Class (CBS) Sept. 18
Close to Home (CBS) Sept. 22
Cold Case (CBS) Sept. 24
Cops (Fox) Sept. 9
Criminal Minds (CBS) Sept. 20
Crossing Jordan (NBC) Oct. 20
CSI (CBS) Sept. 21
CSI: Miami (CBS) Sept. 18
CSI: New York (CBS) Sept. 20
Dancing With The Stars (ABC) Sept. 12
Dateline (NBC) Sept. 23
Day Break (ABC) Nov. 15
Deal or No Deal (NBC) Sept. 18
Def Comedy Jam (HBO) Sept. 10
Desire (MyNet) Sept. 4
Desperate Housewives (ABC) Sept. 24
Dexter (Sho) Oct. 1
Doctor Who (SciFi) Sept. 29
Drawn Together (CC) Oct. 5
ER (NBC) Sept. 21
Everybody Hates Chris (CW) Oct. 1
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) Sept. 24
Family Guy (Fox) Sept. 10
Fashion House (MyNet) Sept. 4
48 Hours Mystery (CBS) Sept. 23
Freak Show (CC) Oct. 4
Friday Night Lights (NBC) Oct. 3
Game (CW) Oct. 1
George Lopez (ABC) Dec. 6
Ghost Whisperer (CBS) Sept. 22
Gilmore Girls (CW) Sept. 26
Girlfriends (CW) Oct. 1
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) Sept. 21
Happy Hour (Fox) Sept. 7
Help Me Help You (ABC) Sept. 26
Heroes (NBC) Sept. 25
Hogan Knows Best (VH1) Oct. 22
House (Fox) Sept. 5
House of Carters (E!) Oct. 2
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) Sept. 18
I Pity The Fool! (TVLand) Oct. 11
Ice T’s Rap School (VH1) Oct. 17
Jericho (CBS) Sept. 20
Justice (Fox) Aug. 30
Juvies (MTV) Sept. 4
Kidnapped (NBC) Sept. 20
King of the Hill (Fox) Dec. 3
Knights of Prosperity (ABC) Oct. 17
Las Vegas (NBC) Oct. 20
Law & Order (NBC) Sept. 22
Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC) Sept. 19
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) Sept. 19
Lost (ABC) Oct. 4
Men in Trees (ABC) Sept. 12
MI:5 (A&E) Sept. 15
Million Dollar Listing (Bravo) Aug. 29
My Name is Earl (NBC) Sept. 21
Nanny 911 (Fox) Sept. 8
NCIS (CBS) Sept. 19
New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) Sept. 18
Nine (ABC) Oct. 4
Nip/Tuck (FX) Sept. 5
Numb3rs (CBS) Sept. 22
The OC (Fox) Nov. 2
Office (NBC) Sept. 21
One Tree Hill (CW) Sept. 27
Prison Break (Fox) Aug. 21
Real Time With Bill Maher (HBO) Aug. 25
Rome (HBO) Jan. 7
Runaway (CW) Sept. 25
7th Heaven (CW) Sept. 25
Shark (CBS) Sept. 21
The Shield (FX) Jan. 9
Simpsons (Fox) Sept. 10
Six Degrees (ABC) Sept. 21
60 Minutes (CBS) Sept. 24
Smallville (CW) Sept. 28
Smith (CBS) Sept. 19
South Park (CC) Oct. 4
Standoff (Fox) Sept. 5
Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip (NBC) Sept. 18
Supernanny (ABC) Dec. 4
Supernatural (CW) Sept. 28
Survivor (CBS) Sept. 14
Talk Show With Spike Feresten (Fox) Sept. 17
30 Rock (NBC) Oct. 11
‘Til Death (Fox) Sept. 7
TNA Impact! (Spike) Sept. 28
Trading Spouses (Fox) Oct. 6
24 (Fox) Jan. 7
20 Good Years (NBC) Oct. 4
20/20 (ABC) Sept. 8
Two and a Half Men (CBS) Sept. 18
Two-A-Days (MTV) Aug. 23
Ugly Betty (ABC) Sept. 28
The Underground (Sho) Sept. 14
Unit (CBS) Sept. 19
Vanished (Fox) Aug. 21
Veronica Mars (CW) Oct. 3
War at Home (Fox) Sept. 10
Watch Over Me (MyNet) Dec. 4
What About Brian (ABC) Oct. 9
Wife Swap (ABC) Sept. 18
Wire (HBO) Sept. 10
Without A Trace Sept. 24
WWE Smackdown (CW) Sept. 22

Veronica Mars Goes Viral. The Shadow Attacks...

So "The Shadow" (is this similar to The Skulls, The Dead Poets Society) has attacked the Veronica Mars bloggers! The viral marketing machine has overtaken our favorite Gal Ronnie's soon to be school of choice, Hearst College.

Here is the email I received from "The Shadow," its very intersting and I encourage you to see what he has to offer. And it looks like Veronica's got her hands full already. Steven, we're coming!

I apologize for the unsolicited e-mail, but this is a matter of great importance. From what I have heard, you have shown support for Veronica and Hearst in the past, and the time has come for words to become actions.

Steven needs our help. He needs to get this message to Veronica:

http://www.helpmeveronica.com

If you can do what you can to make sure it reaches her ears, Steven -- and Hearst -- will be all the safer. I thank you all for your assistance.

Kind regards,
The Shadow-- Who knows what evil lurks in the Hearst of men?



Does Steven realize his girlfriend Sally might actually be named Sal... and a guy? Steven's a little light in his loafers if you're asking me. Seriously though, the funniest thing ever is when he says "I should have got a cat" (click to play) -- almost wet myself. And who's assaulting my honey Dick? Nobody goes down on Dick unless it's me!

Let's discuss this piece of VM information we've received shall we? Spread the word!

______________________________________

Remember if you'd like to read about my set visit last season, click here for the Bloggers Press Day recap!
And my interview with Tessa Thompson from Season 2 is here.

8/28/2006

KFed's Dead...

...well, we could only hope for that headline. It seems that Brit's Baby Daddy not only thinks he can rap, he also thinks he can act! PAPAZOW! This my friends is Must See TV! I cannot wait for October when this puppy airs.


PERFORMER AND RAPPER KEVIN FEDERLINE
TO GUEST STAR ON "CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION"

Performer and rapper Kevin Federline will guest star on an upcoming episode of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Thursday (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Federline will portray an arrogant teenager who harasses the CSI team as they investigate a series of brutal tourist beatings that are taking place throughout the Las Vegas area. Nick and Warrick are confronted by Cole Tritt, (Federline), an arrogant teen who hassles them while they work a crime scene.
Source: CBS Press Release

8/25/2006

Ducky's Thoughts: Emmy Nomimations 2006

Okay so its not like you've all been knocking down my door wondering where my Emmy predictions but I figured I'd cave in and give my two cents worth before Sunday's big night. Sure it's television's biggest night but for me I often feel that television needs to come up with a second awards ceremony similar to when the Oscars swing around. The Oscars are always bloated, unsatisfying, disappointing, and often leaves you feeling like the whole thing was rigged but the day before the Oscars we have the REAL AWARDS SHOW, The Independent Spirit Awards. TV needs the same.

Come Saturday night we should be able to tune in to Bravo lets say and watch Kristen Bell or Lauren Graham win for Best Actress while we watch Everwood win Best Drama! It will never happen but a boy can dream.

No, fine... Here are my thoughts on this years Big Categories.


Drama Series
Grey's Anatomy
House
The Sopranos
24
West Wing

I personally would like to see Grey's win this category. Sure the three shows I want to really win aren't even nominated (Lost, Everwood, Veronica Mars) so I'll take Meredith and Company instead. I guess no time like the present to start my rant against West Wing. This show is crap. It was great for a season or two and then it became crap. Mind you, I never watched the show after the second season but the constant nominations for the show and Allison Janney annoyed me so much I boycotted the show all together. It is the most over-hyped awards series of the past 10 years and if it wins this year I will throw my television out the window.



Lead Actress Drama
Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under)
Geena Davis (Commander in Chief)
Mariska Hargitay (SVU)
Allison Janney (West Wing)
Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

Hands down Kyra Sedgwick. Thank Eeewwww. Her portrayal of Brenda Leigh Johnson is flawless, captivating, riveting, refreshing, comedic, depressing, and beautiful at the same time. No other actress in this category held my attention like Kyra's break out role in The Closer. Do I even need to talk about Allison Janney again? I love her as a comedic actress but, don't get me started...



Lead Actor Drama
Peter Krause (Six Feet Under)
Denis Leary (Rescue Me)
Christopher Meloni (SVU)
Martin Sheen (West Wing)
Kiefer Sutherland (24)

Am I the only one that things Kiefer's "acting" is way overrated? Sure I think he's good but seriously his gruff same year after year actions and pained and strained acting stylings do not even come close to what Peter Krause or Denis Leary pull off on a nightly basis. Nate was annoying in the end but damn could Peter Krause work it; no matter how much I hated Nate before he died I always worshipped Krause's portrayal. Ideally though Denis Leary needs to win. The Season 2 finale was gut wrenching and in general he's just an all around great actor. Honorary Emmy to Meloni for all the nudity and pleasure he gave me on OZ. Good God!



Supporting Actress Drama
Candice Bergen (Boston Legal)
Blythe Danner (Huff)
Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy)
Jean Smart (24)
Chandra Wilson (Grey's Anatomy)

This one's hard for me. I love both Grey's nominees and I will forever and always love me some Blythe Danner but in my heart of hearts I think I want Charlene to win! Jean Smart is amazing and I love that she's had a resurgence post Designing Women. First on Frasier and now on 24. She's just great and a sentimental fave. Candice Bergen's still alive? Seriously.



Supporting Actor Drama
Alan Alda (West Wing)
Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos)
Gregory Itzin (24)
Oliver Platt (Huff)
William Shatner (Boston Legal)

This category I could care less about. I don't like any of the nominees necessarily. I know who I don't want to win though... Alan Alda because I don't want West Wing to win anything. Imperioli because I don't want The Soprano's to win anything and William Shatner because, well... he's William Shatner and has he ever really been known for serious acting?



Comedy Series
Arrested Development
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Office
Scrubs
Two and a Half Men

Normally I would pick Arrested Development but it's dead and gone and has won before so instead I will go with the next best thing The Office. This past season they did the impossible, made me cry at a black humor comedy. As the series grows so does our affections toward Jim and Pam. Hell I even cried for Michael at one point last season... no other comedy in this category has done that... Now here's a gripe, can someone please tell me how The Comeback is not on this list? Hands down the most awkward fun I had all last summer. Poor Valerie Cherish. Oh and what about Weeds? Hello.



Lead Actress Comedy
Stockard Channing (Out of Practice)
Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle)
Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback)
Debra Messing (Will & Grace)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (New/Old Christine)

Easy, Lisa Kudrow. Last summer two women had a comeback in two different genres and they entertained me all summer. For drama I've already mentioned Kyra Sedgwick and so for comedy it has to be Lisa Kudrow. There was nothing more delicious than watching the incredibly oblivious and naive Valerie Cherish's misfortunes. Amazing work by Lisa Kudrow, both hysterical and emotionally crushing at the same time. You laughed at her, with her, and then cried for her. An amazing feat.



Lead Actor Comedy
Steve Carell (The Office)
Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Kevin James (King of Queens)
Tony Shalhoub (Monk)
Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men)

Is there even a question? Steve Carell. Fundlebundle made me both laugh and cry for him. Period. End of discussion.



Supporting Actress Comedy
Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Megan Mullally (Will and Grace)
Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds)
Jaime Pressly (My Name Is Earl)
Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives)

Is there one frame from DH that shows Alfre Woodard in a light hearted jovial comedic mood or even flashing a toothy giggle? No. So she's nominated because? I don't want Earl so even though I think Jaime Pressly will win I can't pick her personally. So I go with Elizabeth Perkins who slayed me in Season 1 of Weeds. Her shining moment? Calling her own daughter a c*nt before shipping her off to boarding school. Genius.



Supporting Actor Comedy
Will Arnett (Arrested Development)
Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle)
Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men)
Sean Hayes (Will & Grace)
Jeremy Piven (Entourage)

Simple. The Piv all the way! Sorry Duckie.



Reality Competition Program
The Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing With the Stars
Project Runway
Survivor

In the past I obviously would have picked The Amazing Race but I have to say that the 2005-2006 seasons were not the best for this old time fave. And as much as I love me some Idol, I can't pick it to win either. This year it's all about Project Runway. Let's hope Santino and Nina Garcia are there to accept the award together. As Tim Gunn would say, Make it Work People!


The Emmy's will be hosted by Conan O'Brien and will air at 8pm this Sunday on NBC. And don't forget that Joan Rivers will conduct her 1000th Red Carpet interview during the TVGuide Pre-Show!

Laguna Beach Season 3: Got Bitches?

Welcome to Laguna Bitch! Okay so back in the day that was our opinion of The OC but the bitchiness left and the cleverness kicked in. I felt the same with the first two seasons of Laguna. Season 1 pitted LC and KCav against each other and at times all parties were just outright horrible to watch.

In Season 2 KCav's evil cattiness and man-eating was tolerable and at times even enjoyable; I eventually fell in love and was head cheerleader for Team KCav - she won me over. She matured, she seemed misunderstood in Season 1 and we really got to know a semi-okay individual. I don't know that I can say the same with this new crop of kids.

Season 3 should be taglined "Welcome To Laguna's Bitches." As a gay man I love me some cat fights, I love me some drama, and I love me some vindictive gals, hence, I don't usually mind me the bitches... but these Season 3 twunts have gotz to go!

We're not talking innocent KCav bitchiness here, we're talking straight up 'I'll key your car, post nude photos of you around town, kill you cat, seduce your father, and tell an admissions officer you once slept with a Math teacher' to ruin your life bitchiness with this new crop of rich cows.

I know I'm being harsh but the likes of Kyndra, Cami, Lexie, and I think it's Candace MTV has done the impossible and further promoted the hardcore selfish self centered cvntery we all should try and teach the youth of today against. Do these girls think they're coming across as cool? Do they think they'll be idolized? Do they think their actions will make them more popular when they hit the mean streets or even college? Do they not realize that their incredibly twisted senses of entitlement, self-image, and morality will one day completely ruin their chances at ever having real jobs, friendships, or relationships of any kind for that matter?

For girls like Kyndra and Cami I wish nothing but the worst in life. Shark attacks, disfigurement, poverty, anything that shows there is justice in this world.

For girls like Tessa and the kick-ass Rocky I wish you luck post-Laguna and I beg of you to do better and more important things with yourselves than become Real Housewives of Orange County. I'm pleading here for you to at least do better than the likes of Kyndra and Cami! Please!

Til next week when I rage against the glam machine...

8/23/2006

America's Next Top Model - Cycle 7 Revealed



I hope you know by now that I love me some Tyra & Co. Sure I think Tyra gets more and more standoff-ish each season and really only takes like 10 minutes out of her life to acquaint herself with models but it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things because I consistently love this show!

From religious nutjobs like Robin who wouldn't remove her clothes to crazy ass Camille all the way to the fabulously deluded Jade in Cycle 6 - I pray for the drama weekly. I yearn for it really, I love watching these girls eat each other alive.

So on September 20th, ANTM Cycle 7 will launch The CW as a network and I thought I'd bring you the models to wet your appetite!


Amanda

Brooke

AJ

Anchal

Cari Dee

Megg

Christian

Megan

Eugena

Jaeda

Melrose

Monique

Michelle


Okay so basing this decision solely on looks my Top 4 are AJ, CariDee, Brooke and her twin Michelle. Runner up would be Christian. And could there be 2 previous cycle look alikes more than Naima (Cycle 4) wannabe Megg and Kim (Cycle 5) doppleganger Megan? Seriously...


Dancing with the Stars 3 Photos...

Seriously... Whoa! What's up Daddy Warbucks!


Noone from So You Think You Can Dance would have a mullet. Wow.
Hey Willa, how's that singing career?



The Best Veronica Mars News EVER!

Okay, so some of you won't think this but for me this is like Elvis meeting John Lennon! This is huge for me! I've been psychotically obsessed with Patty Hearst since I was 10 years old (Patty Hearst's kidnapping and serial killers were my faves growing up... I know, what?) so to hear that she will guest star in Episode 3.08 of Veronica Mars is seriously the best news on earth! I'm freaking out!

According to Ausiello:
Ausiello: OMG! I totally forgot to share with you the other major-ass-prattle-poop: "We have Patty Hearst booked for Episode 8," declares Rob Thomas, who says John Waters' infamous muse will not be playing herself. "She is playing a character close to herself. She's playing the granddaughter of Hearst College's [founder], who in our world is a railroad baron rather than a publishing baron. It'll be similar, but she is not literally playing Patty Hearst."

Wednesday is Ausiello Day...

It's Wednesday which means Michael Ausiello scoops all of us and makes or breaks our hump day. You've probably already read about Patty Hearst doing a guest stint on Veronica Mars (because I freaked out and posted it like in a heartbeat) but did you also know that Laura San Giacomo will also be guest starring this season? According to Mike, Ronnie's dad Enrico Colantoni will be reunited with his Just Shoot Me pal. Now if only we can find a role for Wendy Malick...


This next scoop here is so dirty... do I really need to reference what in my head crossing swords could mean? And with McSteamy and McDreamy... Good God, this is hot!

Question: I need some Grey's Anatomy scoop, please! — Eleni
Ausiello: In Episode 4, McSteamy and McDreamy cross swords over how to treat a burn victim. And there's no more mystery as to what Diahann Carroll will be doing on the show. According to this spoileriffic ABC promo, she'll be playing — as many of us suspected — Burke's mom. (That noise you hear is Shonda Rhimes tearing ABC's promo department a new one.)

Oh yeah, the Diahann Carroll tidbit is good too.


And Brothers & Sisters replacement showrunner Greg Berlanti opens up on the state of one of my most anticipated new Fall shows!

Click here for all of Ausiello's dishy poop.

Calling All So You Think You Can Dance Fans!







*Update: 18 STOPS COVERED SO FAR!

As we all know, the SYTYCD Tour is getting ready to kick off in a couple weeks. Yes I know, the finale is over and we've named our King of Swing the ruler of the dance land *cough* My BF Travis Wall was robbed*cough* but we must move on and think ahead. That's what you're good friend Ducky is doing.

I am looking for correspondents in each city of the tour. The tour dates are listed below and if you plan on going to a show near you email me a line and let me know - we'd all like to hear from you.


What it entails? I wish I could say I could pay your way or give you fame and fortunes but I could barely pay my way and have yet to obtain fame nor fortune so you're on your own. What I will allow though is a forum for those in attendance to post their recap of the show and their pictures from the tour. At the moment, I'd like to keep it to one fan per city but we'll see how it goes. I know it's unrealistic to get one report from every tour stop (after all this isn't War Correspondence here) but it would be great to get as many as possible.

Tell your friends, tell your fellow bloggers - we want to keep the word alive. And that word my friends is not about a higher power, unless that higher power is The Lord of The Dance! It's a way to show our support of the show. It's a way for us to ensure the show continues to grow and that we have a forum after the show has ended.

If interested, please email me and I'll secure your city on our list of hopeful correspondents!

12-Sep Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre - Correspondent: Teri Jo
13-Sep Portland, OR Arlene Schnitzner Hall
15-Sep Oakland, CA Paramount Theatre
- Correspondent: Trish
16-Sep Universal City, CA Gibson Amphitheatre

17-Sep Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre - Correspondent: rlh779
19-Sep Denver, CO Lecture Hall
- Correspondent: Satori
21-Sep St. Louis Fabulous Fox Theatre - Correspondent: Lizymae
22-Sep Chicago, IL Rosemont Theatre - Correspondent: rushmore and Laura
23-Sep Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee Theatre
- Correspondent: Laura
24-Sep Minneapolis, MN The Historic Orpheum Theatre
26-Sep Detroit, MI Masonic Temple Theatre
27-Sep Cincinnati, OH Proctor & Gamble Hall at the Aronoff Center
29-Sep Cleveland, OH State Theatre at the Playhouse Square Center
30-Sep Buffalo, NY Shea's Performing Arts Center
- Correspondent: Vance
01-Oct Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods Resort Casino
03-Oct Newark, NJ New Jersey Performing Arts Center
04-Oct New York, NY The Theater at Madison Square Garden
06-Oct Philadelphia, PA Academy of Music - Correspondent: BrookeMelissa
07-Oct Boston, MA The Wang Center for the Performing Arts - Correspondents: ducky and GMMR
08-Oct Albany, NY Palace Theatre
10-Oct Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall - Correspondent: andiefran
11-Oct Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
12-Oct Duluth, GA Arena at Gwinnett Center
- Correspondent: forensicschick
14-Oct Miami, FL Jackie Gleason Theater - Correspondent: vixenontheedge
15-Oct Tampa, FL Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
- Correspondent: vixenontheedge

16-Oct Tampa, FL Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - Correspondent: vixenontheedge
18-Oct Greenville, SC Timmons Arena
19-Oct Greensboro, NC War Memorial Auditorium
- Correspondent: Kerry
20-Oct N. Charleston, SC North Charleston Performing Arts Center
21-Oct Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall
- Correspondent: Caitlin
23-Oct Baltimore, MD Lyric Opera House
24-Oct Rochester, NY Auditorium Theatre
25-Oct Toronto, ON The Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts
- Correspondent: Vance
27-Oct Syracuse, NY Landmark Theatre
28-Oct Waterbury, CT Palace Theater
29-Oct Providence, RI Providence Performing Arts Center -
Correspondent: backscratcher


Update: Thanks to our newest additions:Teri Jo (SEATTLE!!!), Caitlin, Laura and Backscratcher, Kerry and Vance!

I just looked into the tickets for Boston on StubHub and they are going for $595 each! Way to go Boston fans! Crazy man...


8/22/2006

Media Village TV Fan Awards: Vote Now!

MediaVillage.com has opened voting for their TV Fan Awards 2006. Among those in contention are our dissed Emmy girls Lauren Graham and Kristen Bell! Denis Leary, Matthew Fox, and Terry O'Quinn are also available for votes as well are cast members from The Office and Scrubs.

This ballot also allows you to rate each networks new series and your willingness to watch! It's fun.

Remember, Vote KBell!

DVDGasm: Veronica Mars, House...


It's a great Tuesday or as my friends over at Cloud Watcher called it this morning: Marsday!

A bounty of TV DVD's hit the shelves today and top of that list is Season 2 of Veronica Mars. Also available: House (Season 2), Conviction (Complete Series), and Invasion (Complete Series). Get thee to a store my friends.

The fall season is upon us and this is your chance to catch up on Ronnie's Season 2 hijinks and find out why the hell Cameron didn't let Foreman just die in that 2 parter. I would have.

Veronica Mars Episode 3.04 Title

I previously brought you the episode title for 3.01-3.03 now I bring you 3.04: Charlie Don't Surf

3.04 Charlie Don't Surf
3.03 Friday Night Sleights
3.02 My Big Fat Greek Week
3.01 Welcome Wagon






400+ Veronica Mars DVD Box Sets Hit Library Shelves!


Click on map for interactive DVD locations

On May 9, 2006, fans of Veronica Mars hired a plane to fly a banner supporting renewal over the UPN offices in Los Angeles and The CW headquarters in Burbank. The stunt got a lot of attention from network executives and the press—its intended effect—but not many publications reported on the real core of the fan campaign: the VM DVD Drive for Libraries.

As of August 22nd, the day Season Two of Veronica Mars is released on DVD, fans have donated over 400 sets of the show’s first season on DVD to libraries in all 50 states and in all of the Top 100 Nielsen markets.

Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas began his career as a Young Adult fiction writer, so public libraries were a natural choice when fans began to work on gaining new viewers for Mars. By donating to public libraries, fans have been able to support a worthy cause while also introducing their favorite show to anyone with a library card.

Fans funded for the campaign by donating money through PayPal or by buying fan-created Veronica Mars-inspired merchandise from the Cloud Watchers shop on Café Press. Others purchased DVDs directly and sent them to libraries on a targeted list. Campaign organizers were smart and followed the sales, but at a list price of $59.99, the retail value of these donations is just under $25,000!

All 275 libraries were researched and contacted ahead of time to make sure that the donations would be welcome additions to the existing catlouge. Librarians, many of them fans of the show, have been enthusiastic and appreciative:

"French Lick (IN) is a small, rural community in the poorest county in the state, But we have a community that loves the library. 'Veronica Mars' will be watched by MANY 1st timers. What you and the others are doing has given me something to smile about. Thank you!"

"Many thanks for the great donation of Season 1 to the Sacramento Public Library. We've added all 3 new copies and Veronica is flying off the shelf! We appreciate it, and hopefully it will create a gang of new fans!"

Fans involved in the VM DVD Drive for Libraries are banking on it! And they aren’t finished yet. Their goal now is to reach a total of 500 sets by October 3, 2006, the day the third season of Veronica Mars premieres on the new CW network.

*source: CloudWatchers Press Release











Update: Zap2it has the premiere episode of Vanished available for a free download. I'm about half way through here on my lunch break.


As some or all of you may know I was crazy about Prison Break last season. Not only did it star Manazon Wentworth Miller but it was highly entertaining in that cheap thrills impossible but go with it kinda way. About halfway through the season I began working part-time on Monday nights and not getting out until Midnight. I tried playing catch up for a couple weeks but it just became too much. So, Prison Break was one of my first and saddest casualities from last year.

I am still a working man on Monday nights so PB is still out of the question as is the new thriller Vanished. As I want to bring you guys the best TV has to offer, I will link to some of the best sites for the shows I can no longer take on.

- GMMR has a great Season 1 Primer for Newbies as well as a "Back to Recaps" take on Season 2's Premiere from last night! Check them out.

- Vanished is given the star treatment over at TVGuide's Blogs. This time Matt Webb Mitovich takes a turn at the Senators Wife. Wait...

8/21/2006

Exclusive Interview with 'So You Think You Can Dance' Winner: Benji Schwimmer


What happens when one of the world's biggest TV websites asks two of So You Think You Can Dance's biggest fans to collaborate on an interview with the newly crowed King of 'Dance' Benji Schwimmer?

You get one incredibly candid interview with one helluva Dancer just hours after his big win.

Duckyxdale, GiveMeMyRemote, and MeeVee present So You Think You Can Dance Season 2 Winner Benji Schwimmer!

After talking to Benji Schwimmer, winner of this season's So You Think You Can Dance, you can't help but understand why this kid's at the top of his class. At 22, the humble, resolute performer compares himself to Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and we completely agree--except they both see it as magic where as we, the audience, know that it's their hearts that separate them from the rest.


Congratulations!

Benji: Thanks. It's been a long journey but it's been definitely worth it.


What was it like to hear Cat Deely say your name?

Benji: I think it was a mix of a lot of different things. Three months worth of blood, sweat, and tears, injuries, stress, wondering if I made it, didn't make it. People criticizing me on the Internet. My parent's dance studio burning down. There were so many things building on top of me at that final moment. It didn't even matter which name she announced--it was just such a release. It took me a couple seconds to realize they called my name. I didn't get it. Wasn't expecting it to happen. One of the coolest experiences of my life.


Each week it seemed like the Benji fanclub grew and grew to the point where they were chanting your name--how important was the fan reaction and how did it affect your performance?

Benji: What was awesome about the fans that night was there's a big group of people. It got to a point where they respected the top four so much that everybody was cheering for everybody but when they announced my name, I saw family members of every contestant stand up. They all knew what we had been through. And the fans of Benji, the Shwingers, as they called them[selves], were so cool--they supported me from the beginning. Their fingers were bleeding from voting so many times. It was awesome.


You mention family. You've been dancing with your Cousin Heidi for 17 years and were both in the show's top four together--tell us what it was like to have that experience together.

Benji: I think that's almost a bigger honor than being titled America's favorite dancer--we were America's favorite dance couple. We didn't even try out together, which was odd, but for 17 years we worked on being in competitions together, and whatever the outcome of the finale, they just said she wasn't the person. It was just really cool that we got there together and were in the finale together.


You stated at the beginning of the competition that you had not danced for two years prior to the show? How did you prepare for the auditions?

Benji: I came back after all that time off and I had such a desire to dance and so for months I kept on training and working and I ended up selling my car so I could afford to train like I had been. After that, I went down to L.A., took some classes and just kept going. Honestly, I was at a point where I wasn't sleeping--I was so crazed. I became almost manic about the whole thing, but it really got me out of some tough times, too. Overall, it was just an amazing experience.


Going into the competition, did you think that your success in the Swing World would help or hinder your chances at making it to Vegas?

Benji: I think it helped. It was kind of a unique thing to have. I was happy to have represented the swing world in that aspect. Certain people had some negative criticism because of my success as a national champion, but for the most part they respected it.


Of all the choreographed routines performed by other contestants on the show, which one do you secretly wish you could have performed?

Benji: I wish I could've done the west coast swing. I did a jazz piece but I would've loved to do a west coast swing. In the future, I want to take ballet, Cuban classes--I want to do it all.


You were hospitalized in the week prior to the Final Four Competition but it was never addressed on the show. Were there moments when you feared this would affect your chances of moving on?

Benji: There was always an injury. It was almost every week where I collected a new one or even two. And it was almost like I was being prevented from doing more and more maneuvers. But I guess it's part of the process and part of the show-- is to use all that you possibly can and I know that whether I'd won it or not, I'd know I would've been able to finish the show and say, I'd done everything I possibly can to win this thing.


How do you foresee all of this success changing your personal life?

Benji: Personally, I'm going to have to be careful to who I befriend now, because there are certain people out there tend to take your money and privileges you have to their advantage. And I also get followed around and have paparazzi take pictures of me, and I don't mind people asking for my autograph--I was in the same boat three months ago. But it's going to be important to find time for friends and family and the people I love.


You're a natural entertainer and you know how to play the audience; do you have aspirations of Broadway or possibly even film work?

Benji: Yeah, definitely. In fact--I just was cast to play the lead role as Fred Astaire in the upcoming film about his life. Nigel really helped me out with that, so it was just a real honor. I felt kind of like Charlie from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where you go through these great experiences and are rewarded something at the end like his everlasting gobstopper or the company or something.


What can you tell us about your role in Celine Dion's Vegas Extravaganza "A New Day"?

Benji: Basically I'd be a dancer, I'd probably have a special number with Celine; and we're possibly going to do a duet between Celine and I. I can't wait--it's going to so cool.


Which scares you more? Mary Murphy's scream or Dmitry's chest?

Benji: Gosh, you know it's funny--both of those things are legends in themselves. I think the scariest thing is when Nigel and Cat pretend I'm about to kicked off the show and I don't. I think I've had about two or three ulcers.


And lastly, what are your favorite TV shows?

Benji: One of my favorite shows is still the Seinfeld re-runs--they're so hilarious. Also, the Office and the old U.K. versions of Whose Line is it Anyway are great, too.


Alright, well, congratulations, Benji! Good luck with your new life in show biz!

Benji: Awesome! Thanks, guys!


Don't forget SYTYCD fans to check back in a couple weeks for Tour diaries and photos sent in by Ducky's Tour Correspondents across the country. If you are interested in contributing, please see this post and let me know. We're trying to get as many cities as possible covered to continue our summer obsession into the fall!

*This interview was conducted on Friday, August 18, 2006 in conjunction with duckyxdale, givememyremote, and the blog at meevee.com.

Degrassi and South of Nowhere Premiere Dates!

Degrassi and South of Nowhere are set to premiere on September 29th only on The N (well in America it's only on The N).

Degrassi returns for its sixth season with the two part episode "Here Comes Your Man." It looks like Sean Cameron will be returning to Degrassi with his eyes set on winning back his true love Emma Nelson (which I'm all about)!

Also in store for Season 6, one of my favorite bands, Taking Back Sunday descends on the Degrassi Community School kids. There is even talk that TBS will star in a couple new mini-webisodes this fall!




Season 6 Promos:




*check out Ash's hair! I know Sean and Emma aren't making out.

KFed/Teen Choice Awards is So Bad its Bad!










- My girl over at GMMR has recaps of last night's Teen Choice Awards (which were just unwatchable in my opinion) so you should head on over and check out her scathing commentary. She's also posted a link to Kevin Federline's first and hopeful last live performance ever. It's seriously the worst thing I've ever witnessed. I'd rather watch an autopsy on a loved one than sit through this video ever again.

Now, speaking of KFed, did you know that last Halloween I was Brit's Baby Daddy? Here's my fake US Weekly cover.

8/18/2006

So You Think Benji's Heart Will Go On?

This boy is making the rounds... Fox and Friends, Regis and Kelly... it's never ending for a dancing star. But all this attention and no talk about the grand prize so it begs to ask...

WIll Benji Schwimmer Give Up His Celine Deal? I just popped on over to Seriously, OMGWTF? and they have the US Weekly article in which Benji claims to not want the grand prize. Click here to read all about it.

Bright Meets Summer!

I'm sorry I just did a spit-take! Damnit I can't start watching this show again...

From Michael Ausiello:
Scoop! Everwood's Chris Pratt Joins The O.C.!

Finally, I've got some good news for all you heartsick
Everwood fans. The O.C. had the Bright idea (c'mon, I had to!) to cast Chris Pratt — aka Everwood's lovable blockhead Bright — for a multi-episode arc this season. He'll play Che, an environmentalist that Summer (Rachel Bilson) befriends while away at college. Unfortunately, we have to wait a few months before we see Pratt in action. His first air date coincides with the show's fourth-season premiere on Nov. 2. You don't, however, have to wait that long to read my exclusive Q&A with him, since Mr. Pratt just called me while driving around in New Mexico to discuss The O.C., adjusting to life after Everwood and the perils of dating your TV sibling.

Click here to read the entire interview.

So You Think You Can Dance Post-its


This is the post-it note that was on my computer screen at work when I got in this morning. It's from my bosses boss and from its message, I think you can guess who she was NOT expecting to win. Brilliance. Absoloves it.

"America is not to be trusted"



8/17/2006

So You Think You Can Dance - Finale Part 2

So You Think You Can Dance
Season Finale - Part 2

August 16, 2006








Thanks for sticking with me guys. Here is Part 2 of my SYTYCD Finale posting. I hope you enjoy and please read through to the end for some other tidbits I'd like you to be aware of...


Heidi Solo and retrospective: Look at Heidi changing it up on us when votes aren't at stake. I like this new Heidi but it makes me wonder why we never saw this version of Cousin Heidi during the regular competition. Remember weeks back when we all thought she was a little bit Sandy from "Grease"?

Well look out kids, she's back! It's great to see Heidi in so many routines; it really showcases her versatility and growth in the competition. I can't imagine a Final 4 without her honestly. Look, Cat's gonna talk with Heidi about what it means to be in the... HEIDI WAS JUST ELIMINATED FROM THE COMPETITION! What? Wow. Seriously, this is how you wanna roll Cat? Low. Surprisingly though, Cousin Heidi seemed to have a speech prepared. Me thinky they gave Heidi the heads up.

More commentary: “I think her Vag actually hit and ground and bounced back up” "Her hair really is the best its ever been." "We need to call that move something..." "How about Heidi’s Vag Drop?" "Perfect!"

“I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett



Travis is up next. Wait, last time someone came on stage she got the boot! OMG, GMMR and I are freaking out! Silent Screams...


Calm yourself...

Phew, it was just time for his “favorite” routine from this season. Breathe...

The Paso Doble – Good God that opening is hot hot hot! I remember now, this was the routine that really brought Heidi home for me. This is really one of the first moments where we got to see her skills with a real partner (sorry Ryan)… A great shining moment for both Travis and Heidi. Imagine what it was like for her to perform after just being told she was a loser? Sad, but man is she a trooper. They finish the dance and Cat turned into Maia Rudolph playing Donatella Versace... "GET OUUUUUUT!" She couldn't rush those two off the stage faster. High-sterical. I laughed for minutes.


“The Plaza of Execution” from Zorro


Donyelle’s Solo and Retrospective: Well folks, I think we know what this means don't we? This one hurts because I really truly madly deeply adore Donyelle. It was interesting to hear how she had quit dancing prior to the competition.


Mia’s crying... I'm crying... Mia's still going at it (and I love that she just threw her arms up in the air like “Here I Go Again With the Crying!”). Donyelle, you will be missed.

“I’m Free” by Amber


America, we have our Top 2 dancers! TRANJI!!!

Brian’s Favorite Pick: Seriously, that jacket? Brian... guess what fashion statement won't be making our "favorite" list? Whew that thing is awful. I'm talking worse than that old man on So You Think You Can Dance India...


Brian's trying to gather himself after Donyelle’s departure. I'm trying to gather myself because I just remembered that this was the dance that made me fall in love with My BF Travis Wall. It was during this dance that he became My BF! Sure he doesn't know we're dating but that doesn't matter... Look at his cute moves, finger wags, and little broadway happy cat leaps. Kisses, Smooch, Smooch!

More commentary: “Look at that coat” “She’s so frickin' jacked” “How good is this ice cream by the way” "I love him..."

“Steam Heat” from Fosse



Benji’s Solo and Retrospective: Is he not doing his typical swing? I'm really liking this Cousin's switch-up tonight… OH NO, Benji just mouthed the words of the song to the camera... I don't care for that at all. I'm so taken out of this routine, he might as well be discussing Nuclear Physics. I could care less now.

More commentary: “You must lose for that!” “That's so not right... who does that?” “He knows he didn’t win... look at him, his spirit is diminished”

“Never Knew” by The Rocket Summer


Ah, time for My Baby's Solo and Retrospective: Wow, its been quite the ride. I've had to make some sacrifices for My BF Travis Wall but it's all worth it. Look at what a patootie he is: “I’ve got some talent, I’ve got some hope, And Look at my smile”. Some incredible routines were shown and as always, he ends his solo with a signature screwball move... this time it's called: Big Waves Little Tea Pot

“Wonderful” by Annie Lenox


We held hands the three of us… this is it. Oh hell, a break and I totes forgot about Fergie...


Can we discuss for a second? There are two things that need to be brought up:
(1) Why does Fergie no longer look like that little blonde white girl from Kids Incorporated?
(2) Why does she look like a Tranny? Seriously, put her up next to Alexis Arquette (no, not Ben aka Pre-Pre-Op Alexis Arquette) and they look the same. she's so masculine and harsh. I get that she's jacked and all but damn girl needs to start on some hormone injections to either complete or end the transition. Hello!


Seriously another dance? I'm freaking out Fox, just announce the winner already! Jesus! Fine, I accept... The Top 10 are doing Tyce’s Broadway routine to "Cell Block Tango." Yes it was so much better this time around! Yes, they focused on Travis too much - could be telling of his win (wish wish)… or maybe not. Yes it was hot when Travis and Jailbait Ivan have their little gay moment on stage. I get it, but the winner. Hold on, Ivan and Travis... that’s hot.

“Cell Block Tango” from Chicago


Dan Karaty's Favorite dance: Tranji! Shane Sparks says he knew these were the final 2 from the beginning... I have to believe him. By Week 2 we all knew one of these two guys would be taking home the prize (please be Travis, please be Travis). As much as I adore the routine and these two contestants, the first time they did this was so much better. Something was off tonight. There were uncompleted movements and the ending knock-out was nowhere near as dramatic or airborne as last time.

More commentary: “They were like Fire and Fire!” "What does that even mean?" “Make Out, Make Out!” “I think Carson Kreesly dressed Brian tonight”


The Moment of Truth America:
After 15 Weeks; 30 Hours of TV; almost 70 MM Votes; Umpteen Mary Screams; 1 Single Hand Puppet Scream; 1 Double Hand Puppet Scream; 2 Brian Freidman Howler Mary Imitations; Countless injuries; millions of broken hearts; and 1 TV Boyfriend Later...

The Winner of So You Think You Can Dance 2006 is...

Trav *record scratches, dishes break, my glasses crack; a car slams through the livingroom wall*

Benji Schwimmer...


I need a moment.

Uh-huh.

Okay.

Don't get me wrong. I love me some Benji! I love me some Tranji and I even loved me some Bendi and Benyelle but my heart was set on Travis winning. It took me til this morning to overcome the fog and daze I was in but now I can officially say I am happy for Benji Schwimmer. The first step is acceptance, right?

The kid is a born entertainer and a complete professional. He made us laugh, he made us cry, he made us scream in delight and at times he even made us chant his name! The boy has magical powers over the American audience and for that I applaude him.

He can now add SYTYCD Winner to his list of accomplishments! I don't know where this fits on that belt (King of Swing is pretty hard to beat if you're asking me) but regardless, Benji is Amazing!

Congratulations to Benji, Cousin Heidi and the rest of the brood... that families got some good stock, huh?


Now let's discuss My BF Travis Wall shall we? Even though I was fetal and tearing my hair out over the outcome, My BF was up there taking a bow like a true champion and consumate professional! He danced his ass off over the last few months. He grew as a dancer, as a performer, and as a person. He opened up and let us see his personality and really showcased his skills as the weeks progressed. Nigel and Company said it numerous times, Travis was technically the best dancer in the competition... unfortch this show is not about finding the best it's about finding the favorite.

One final question: How long before its announced that Travis has been hired for Celine's "A New Day" Vegas Extravaganza? Mia did say she would be happy to work with Travis for the rest of her life... Put up or shut up Mia!


I want to thank all the readers who have frequented this site in honor and support of this show. Many new Ducky fans were made (I hope) and I really wanted to express my gratitude and extend a couple offers to you. First I hope you will continue coming back as the Fall season progresses. Let me know which shows you'd like me to cover and I will do my darndest to do so.

ALL FANS AND TOUR GOER'S:
As we all know the Tour begins on Sept. 12th in Seattle, WA and Ducky needs your help! I've begun looking for Tour Correspondents in as many cities as humanly possible. I will be posting Tour updates, information, recaps and photos from across the country with your help!

I would like this to be a home for those fans eagerly anticipating Tour info and gossip throughout the Fall! If you plan on attending a show in any of the Tour cities and would like to keep So You Think You Can Dance in the media for a while longer please let me know.

I would like to get one "correspondent" from each city on the tour if possible. At the moment we have 5 cities covered which means there are plenty spots left.
For more information and to sign up please click here! Obviously I want you to come back and come back often and with these Tour updates I hope to also bring you exclusive interviews with certain castmembers! Details are still rolling in... And come back next week for what will hopefully be exciting news for fans and for Ducky!


You guys are amazing! Again, thanks for an amazing summer and we'll see you in a couple weeks as the Tour gets underway! A special thanks to rickey.org and Sabrina Rojas Weiss at TVGuide Online for all their videos, photos, interviews, and support of the show.

Speaking of Finale Videos (courtesy of rickey.org):






































All videos posted by rickey.org, please visit his site as he always provides great screencaps and videos from our favorite show (SYTYCD) and other reality faves.