Conan unveils the Tour-Iffic Tram-Tacular
One night, Conan O'Brien is going to stop using the Universal tour tram as a comedic device to go to. Last night was not that night. But I guess this is funny enough. The tour stops in front of the Tonight Show doors now, but it's a pretty boring strop, and Conan and Andy Ricther wanted to give tourists something to remember.
Top Chef Masters: Magic Chefs - open thread
You have to love a reality cooking show that makes the contestants cook an egg with one hand tied behind their backs (and has Neil Patrick Harris and magician Max Maven as special guests), but I'm beginning to get bored with Top Chef Masters. I love cooking competition shows, but the fact that these people are professionals and don't seem to get quite as upset as other Top Chef contestants (and there doesn't seem to be as much at stake) stands out a lot and makes the show a lesser version of the franchise. I mean, I like the lighter tone and the professionalism, but the original is better.
The Cleaner: The Projectionist - open thread
Are you watching The Cleaner? It seems to be the cable drama that has gotten lost in the mix of other shows that get more press and acclaim, like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Weeds, and Rescue Me. But one friend of mine swears that the show is one of the best shows on television right now.TV shows and movies about drug addicts always bum me out though.
What You Missed Last Night: Conan screws up a comedy bit
I love it when comedy sketches don't go right. That can often be funnier than the sketch itself. Last night, Conan O'Brien played a game called "Sanford or Steele," where Andy Richter had to guess whether a quote was from Governor Mark Sanford or romance-novelist Danielle Steele. Richter asks to phone-a-friend and the friend is Fabio. It always irks me when the appearance by a celeb is prerecorded and they try to act as if it isn't (this happens on Letterman's show sometimes), so it's funny to see it backfire once.
Secret Life of the American Teenager: Par for the Course - open thread
The other night I was watching a special on BBC America about all of the pregnant girls in the Gloucester, MA (where I was born) high school. That has nothing to do with this show, of course, but every time I see a show about a pregnant teen I think of that real-life story. I'm waiting for the inevitable movie that Lifetime will make about the situation.
Last night's episode of The Secret Life of the American Teenager was about how Ben's preoccupation with sex is causing trouble with Amy. More than the trouble it has already caused, that is. Yo, Adrian!
The Next Food Network Star: Rachael Ray - open thread
No, the next Food Network star isn't going to be Rachael Ray. She already has several shows on the network. "Rachael Ray" was the title of last night's episode, as the remaining contestants had to go on her show and do a team cooking presentation. Does someone know if this episode is going to air or will it air when new episodes of the show start up again? It would be weird for the episode to air after the winner of NFNS is crowned.
Continue reading The Next Food Network Star: Rachael Ray - open thread
Drew Carey's got a blog... and TPiR "fans" have already ticked him off
Ya gotta give Drew Carey a lot of credit. Going into his third season on The Price is Right, he's been able to step in the shoes of an icon, Bob Barker, and do a good job. He's also his part to drag the 38-year-old show into the 21st century, whether it wants to be here or not.A couple of weeks ago, Drew simultaneously started a blog called Drew From TV, and a Twitter feed called TPIRHost, essentially to talk about his backstage experiences at TPiR, and whatever else he happens to think about (he soon started a second Twitter feed called DrewFromTV so he could muse on politics, soccer, and his other interests without associating it with the show).
Continue reading Drew Carey's got a blog... and TPiR "fans" have already ticked him off
Jon Stewart investigates the Karl Malden/Brian Williams connection
I don't know if the word "obitutainment" has been used before, but it's here now. Jon Stewart mentioned it last night in this installment of the Rippy Awards (I just now realized it refers to R.I.P., ha). And this isn't about Michael Jackson! It's about Karl Malden and his connection to an NBC anchor Brian Williams. I think I'm as connected to Malden as Williams is.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Rippy Awards - Celebrity Crypts | ||||
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It's Colbert vs. Cooper in the Battle of Bubbles
There are about 20 funny lines in this short segment from last night's episode of The Colbert Report. Colbert goes after CNN's Anderson Cooper for getting the exclusive story on what happened to Bubbles, Michael Jackson's former pet chimp. "Crank up the AC!"
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c |
| CNN Finds Bubbles the Chimp | |
Colbert gives a Tip of the Hat and a Wag of the Finger
The Colbert Report has a regular feature called A Tip of the Hat and A Wag of the Finger, where he praises one thing and goes after something else. Last night he talked about Missouri State Representative Cynthia Davis and her "hunger can be a positive motivator" stance, and then criticized FOX News for calling Governor Mark Sanford a Democrat, saying they also identified Hurricane Katrina as a Democrat. (Video also here.)
Didn't Jimmy Kimmel do a similar joke recently? Yes he did:
Continue reading Colbert gives a Tip of the Hat and a Wag of the Finger
What You Missed Last Night: Spit and tacos on The Real World
And I should add that you should be grateful that you missed this last night. My God, are the new people on The Real World: Cancun really this crazy? Remember that episode of The Real World: San Francisco where Puck put his finger in the peanut butter? This is even worse.
"Herpes on your lip! Herpes on your lip! Herpes on your lip!"
The Fashion Show: It's in the Cards - open thread
I figure that since Bravo Better Off Ted: Bioshuffle - open thread
Why is ABC running new episodes of Better Off Ted during the summer? Not that fans aren't incredibly happy to see new episodes, but I would have thought that ABC would rerun the earlier episodes of the show and then start running new ones this fall (the show has been renewed for the fall).
Jon and Kate stop talking to the media, about five years too late (UPDATE)
According to the New York Daily News, Jon and Kate Gosselin have decided to go in media blackout mode as they figure out their divorce. On the show's page on the TLC web site, the couple released a statement that mentions why they've stopped talking to the media:"During this very difficult time we will be working to focus solely on the needs of our family. This includes no longer commenting publicly or reacting to media stories and speculation. Our goal is to do the very best for our children and that will be done as privately as possible."
They've even gone so far as to file their divorce in a court that will keep their records sealed. Unfortunately, it all feels like a bunch of "too little too late" moves. If they're trying to protect the children, why did Kate and Jon spend the last four months talking to magazines like People for months on end? Why did they announce their split in front of 10.6 million gawkers (including me)? Why in the hell did they even start their show to begin with?
Continue reading Jon and Kate stop talking to the media, about five years too late (UPDATE)
Law and Order: CI: Salome in Manhattan/Lady's Man - open thread
Not sure why USA Network ran two new episodes of Law and Order: CI back to back last night. Since the show was delayed so much this season you would think they'd want to spread out the fresh episodes over the summer longer. But we got to see a Jeff Goldblum episode and a Vincent D'Onofrio episode on the same night so we can compare the two leading men.
Seven greatest hand cannons in TV history
TV Squad previews NBC's new shows (part 1)
TV 101: How ESPN controls the world and what the other networks can learn from it
